By William Madouk
Murle community has submitted a petition to African Parks South Sudan, demanding a 5 percent share of proceeds from Boma Park wildlife scenery, a similar arrangement to oil-producing areas.
The petition, signed by paramount chief Logidang Lotiboy, community leader Jacob Nganto, youth leader James Allan, and women’s representative Betty Nyoncho, was seen by this outlet.
“Despite the presence of the APSS in Nyat, the locals still have difficulties reaching health centres and learning institutions,” partly read the statement.
They added that residents have to trek 11 kilometres to Boma town to access basic services.
According to them, the African Parks has been awarded a contract by the Ministry of Wildlife and sidelined the community, adding that land and resources belong to the community.
“We need 5% for the community where resources for our animals and scenery of Boma county, and they should provide this like other places where oil is explored,” they added.
“We the community of Jebel Boma County, call upon and warn the APSS not to ignore,”
The four community leaders claimed that African Parks – which was awarded the contract to do a survey of flora and fauna in Boma has not offered any corporate social responsibility for the area.
They pointed an accusing finger at African Parks South Sudan for smuggling minerals besides animals.
“Africa Parks South Sudan intentionally move freely without permission from local authorities in the area, and to make matters worse, they are stealing other natural resources like minerals, besides animals that they came for it,” reads the petition.
Besides, the leaders warned that should African Park allow their helicopter to hover for animal overview and picture taking randomly, they will order the youth to take action.
“We will order youth to resist vigilantly this or we will send APSS back to the godfather who sent APSS illegally into our area without legal agreement or greenlight from the community.”
“We condemn this in the strongest terms possible for those who entered into our shoes and decided on our behalf to make a decision without us the community.”
Boma National Park is a protected area in eastern South Sudan near the Ethiopian border. It was established in 1977 and covers 22,800 km (8,800sq mi) of grasslands and floodplains.
Government of South Sudan Signed Major Agreement with African Parks to Manage Boma and Badingilo National Parks.
Recently, African Parks launched a comprehensive conservation initiative aimed at protecting this vast landscape and its wildlife.
President Salva Kiir Mayardit, who officiated the launching of wildlife census declared that wildlife population stood at 5.8 million, adding that flora and fauna must be preserved to boost tourism sector.