By Yiep Joseph
A dispute has emerged between the Eastern Equatoria State government and 11 Clans of Magwi County over the demarcation of Nimule town, a strategic border entry point.
The Clans has voiced strong objections to the current demarcation process, arguing that it lacks adequate consultation with the local community.
In a statement issued on December 6th, the clan’s Chairman, Yemba Micky, called on the Nimule town clerk to halt the process, contending that most of the residents are currently displaced in camps and that further consultations are necessary to ensure a fair and inclusive demarcation.
“As our brothers and sister are still in exile, the survey does not make sense to the eleven clans; therefore, we reject this exercise, which has already started, and it should stop immediately until proper resolutions are made,” the statement read.
“We got information of land survey from the town clerk through the head chief. As the Eleven clans in Nimule, we are not against any development being brought to the community by the government, but there should be awareness, and it should come through the community.” the statement read.
However, In an exclusive interview with this outlet, Pole pole Benjamin, the Commissioner of Magwi County, stated that the demarcation process has not started, clarifying that what is taking place is mapping of the town by the clerk as agreed by the community chiefs.
“What the town clerk told me is that they are doing social demarcation; according to him, they are doing mapping to enable them to come up with the map of Nimule, which is called town planning,” Pole said.
“They are not yet allotting land; they are doing mapping,” he added.
The commissioner said the chiefs in the town were consulted and they agreed; however, he added that there is still a chance for more consultations.
“About five chiefs of Nimule have already approved and accepted that Nimule be demarcated but still require consultation whether they are comfortable with it because we are seeing some of the communities are still in the camps this one also required consultation,” he said.
The commissioner revealed that he was on his way to initiate a meeting with the communities in order to listen to their grievances.
“What we are going to do is have a meeting with the community; if at all they have grievances, we will give them that chance. The best thing to handle this is by having a meeting with the communities,” he said.
He added that the chief within the Nimule town has agreed, and the town clerk has the document that was used as a basis for the processes; meanwhile, further consultations will be carried out.
“Within the Nimule there is no problem because the Nimule town clerk has the document already signed by the chiefs; only the issue of consultation and getting public opinion remains,” he said.
Nimule is located in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State is one of the main gateways into South Sudan from other East African Member States.