Easter Equatoria State, National, News

Four killed, over 100 displaced in Magwi

By Kei Emmanuel Duku

Residents of Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria state are living in fear following an attack by armed cattle herders that left at least four people dead, one injured, and over 70 homes burned.

Jekery Adong Scovia Johnson, Director of VOICE of South Sudan, a Magwi County NGO, said the displaced are mainly women and children, sleeping outside without shelter.

Recent media reports detailed rising tensions between armed herders and residents in Nyolo, Ayill, and surrounding areas due to crop destruction by cattle.

Adong said approximately 700 displaced people are camped in Obama, with others heading to Magwi town. She described the situation as dire, with children and women lacking food, water, and freedom of movement.

“They cannot eat because their houses are burned to ashes and there is no food to cook,” Adong said, noting other than mass relocations from Akoro, Kit, Omeo, and Chomboro, with many walking to Magwi.

She stated the conflict began last week. Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore and the Magwi Commissioner met with community groups and cattle keepers in Kit.

However, a Friday early morning cattle raid by an unidentified group around Amei Junction and Aru angered the herders, who then attacked villages, killing and burning homes.

The motives of the attackers and raiders remain unknown, and Adong noted the limited presence of government soldiers despite a nearby army barracks.

“They had a peaceful discussion and agreed, but the cattlemen requested three more months in the area, which the community refused, citing crop destruction,” Adong explained.

The herders were given four days to evacuate, but “unfortunately, they have not vacated, and it resulted in this bloody killing.”

However, Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization, urged national government engagement with affected state governors.

He argued that unresolved pastoralist-farmer conflicts will lead to gross human rights violations. Yakani alleged that Jonglei State pastoralists occupying parts of East and Central Equatoria are armed and backed by politicians.
“Our government needs to proactively engage and mitigate this problem,” Yakani said.

“We may name the individuals fueling this violence—those who supply arms and ammunition to pastoralists, or those who incite violence. We know their names and will soon reveal them,” concluded Yakain.

 

Leave a Comment