By Alan Clement
Central Equatoria state Council of Ministers, is perturbed by encroachment of graveyards in Juba city.
The state cabinet has directed Juba County and city authorities to evict the graveyard squatters to preserve and restore peace of the dead.
The council of ministers raised the concerns during a meeting chaired by CES governor Rabi Mujung, on Thursday, saying graveyards, as burial grounds, are sacred places.
The state Acting State Minister of Information and Communication, Jacob Aligo Lo-Lado said the cabinet also raised an alarm over reports of families being obstructed from burying their loved ones.
Others are barred from accessing graves of those already buried including cases of criminal activities, the minister said.
“Some individuals have occupied these graveyards and occasionally threaten people going for burials,” Aligo said.
“We have received concerns over insecurity, especially in Moroyok graveyard west of Juba near the former Protection of Civilian camp, and in the Jebel Lemon graveyard,” Aligo stated,
During the meeting, the cabinet also directed the commissioner of Juba city council to address the concerns raised ad ensure the safety of mourners.
“The Mayor of Juba City Council has also been tasked with clearing the Hai Malakal graveyard and ensuring it is fenced to preserve the dignity of those buried there,” said Aligo.
Aligo further emphasized that related directives have been issued to the ministry of Housing, Land and Public Utilities.
The Minister has been tasked with factoring graveyard allocation into future land demarcation plans.
“We must resolve the issue of limited burial space through proper planning,” he emphasized.
Regarding security matters across the state, Aligo noted relative stability but cited graveyard-related insecurity and emerging concerns such as the rise in suicide cases in Juba County which have prompted the government to instruct relevant institutions to investigate and act swiftly.