(Photo by: James Innocent)
By James Innocent Ali
The cabinet minister for Central Equatoria state Godwil Wayi Edward disclosed that Central Equatoria locals are facing challenges from the pastoralists.
Wayi stated that the pastoralists are a threat to the communities in Central Equatoria State especially in the counties of Terekeka, Kajo-Keji, Lainya, Juba and parts of Yei.
“We have the challenges of cattle from our sisterly state and of the county of Central Equatoria State as Terekeka. These cattle have been one of the problems to our population especially to some of our counties especially in the counties of Kajo-Keji, Lainya and parts of Yei resulting into displacement and killing of people. So, the governor of Central Equatoria State has suspended the Council sitting to give time to all the officials of the government to reach the counties to support peace and re-inforce the return of cattle,” he said.
He pointed out that in 2015 to 2017, President Salva Kiir issued orders for all the cattle herders to leave areas particularly in Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria States but these orders have been defied and leaving the cattle to destroy farms; with a lot of insecurity going on.
“Our population is predominantly living on agriculture and it is very difficult for us to coexist with cattle, we have no problems with cattle but the manner that these cattle have come is very destructive to our population so these are the efforts that we are taking to make sure that Yei areas and the entire Central Equatoria State gets peace to give chance to the population to revive their lives” he stated.
He said with support from partners, they are working hard to repair bridges, roads that have collapsed and renovate some of the health centers that were vandalized during the war and all these efforts are ongoing and he urged the population to be patient as the government worked on services that they like.
The minister gave his message in an exclusive interview in Yei River County of Central Equatoria State.