By Ijoo Bosco & Kei Emmanuel Duku
Eastern Equatoria State government condemns attack on cattle herders on Friday in Magwi County that claimed 31 lives and animals.
Several homes of the host community were destroyed and hundreds of residents displaced from Nyolo and Ayii during the incident.
“The state government expressed profound shock at the attack by armed cattle herders on Friday, that left many people killed and livestock raided in Magwi county,” the State Minister of Information and communication, Elia John Alhaj said.
Speaking to the press on Friday, Eastern Equatoria state information minister, Elia John Ahaj said the incident occurred at around 4:00 AM in kraals located near the border with Central Equatoria state.
Mr. Elia observed that, the state government is monitoring the situation as the attackers remain engaged with the cattle owners deep in the forest.
He said it was still challenging to ascertain the identity of the assailants and details of casualties.
“This attack comes despite our repeated calls for cattle herders to vacate Magwi County, a predominantly agricultural area. Because such conflicts over cattle, not only threaten the herders but also endanger innocent farmers and surrounding communities,” the minister said.
He recognized that cattle and livestock are significant sources of insecurity and conflict in Eastern Equatoria state region.
“Exporting such conflicts into communities unfamiliar with the dynamics, increases their vulnerability to violence and disruption,” the minister noted.
He extended the state government’s heartfelt sympathy to the communities who have been displaced and traumatized by the gunfire, as well as to the cattle herders who have suffered loss of lives and property.
The minister further reiterated that, the state government strongly condemns the criminal behaviors of those individuals who have carried out the attack, disrupting the peace of the communities at this critical time when they are supposed to be embarking on serious agricultural activities.
“They are supposed to be on serious agricultural activities (harvesting, drying and land preparation for the upcoming farming season). The actions of the assailants deprived individuals of their hard-earned livelihoods,” Elia added.
The state information minister also reiterated a call for cattle herders to leave Magwi County so that the local inhabitants can embark on their peaceful land preparation for farming without fear.
Furthermore, He urge humanitarian partners to assist the displaced communities and those injured during the conflict.
“The Eastern Equatoria government is committed to taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and peace of our citizens. Today we have dispatched organized Forces to go and conduct immediate investigations to establish the identity of those attackers for necessary actions and to as well to provide protection to the innocent displaced persons who are caught in the conflict both from local residents, and cattle herders as we aim to restore normalcy as quickly as possible,” he expressed.
In addition, the state Youth Union has also joined in condemning the Friday attack.
In a press release, the Union denied claims linking youth from the state to the incident, which resulted in cattle raided by unidentified armed groups.
Oriaja James, the Union’s chairperson, noted that the continuous invasion of agricultural land by armed cattle herders had destroyed farmland.
Initial reports stated the attacks occurred in Nyolo and Ayii but according to Oriaja, the armed cattle keepers have continued burning houses of innocent civilians in Ofirha Village, Kudo Payam, Torit County.
“These herders, without any consultation with our local authorities, have moved into farmlands in Magwi County, destroying crops and livelihoods. Despite calls by relevant authorities for their withdrawal, they have continued to stay and cause conflict. Their presence is unacceptable anymore, and they must leave the state without delay,” the statement reads.
He further added that the continuous invasion, killing, and burning of houses by armed cattle herders from Jonglei State is an attempt to drive farmers from their ancestral land, and the attackers should be held responsible for their crimes.
The Youth Union Chairperson appealed to the National government to reinstate previous directives issued by President Salva Kiir regarding the relocation of herdsmen from agricultural land.
“Our people deserve respect for their land and an immediate end to this invasion. Any further destruction of crops and loss of innocent lives must end,” the statement added.
Last week, a local organization in Magwi County estimated four to five deaths, one injury, 70 houses burnt, and hundreds homeless. However, on Sunday, the Executive Director of the Community Empowerment Organization (CEPO) said the number had risen sharply to 31.
Edmund Yakani said that after killing the cattle keepers, the attackers, whose identities remained unknown, took a thousand cattle from the pastoralists.
The activist condemned the attacks and called on authorities to prioritize the safety and security of the host community, the displaced, and the cattle keepers.
He further said that the herdsmen have occupied strategic grazing land and water points for their cattle in Eastern and Central Equatoria States, causing conflict with cultivators, due to crop destruction by animals.
The CEPO Director added that to minimize further conflict and loss of lives, leaders from the three states should hold an urgent meeting to prevent revenge attacks.
“Protection and prevention of a potential looming deadly revenge attack must be avoided. We have seen indicators that a deadly revenge attack may happen within the week or sooner. Regarding recovering the stolen cattle, there should be plans on how the affected population without food and shelter can be helped,” Yakani said.
Jonglei State Authorities also condemned the attacks on its civilians in Magwi County, Eastern Equatoria State, who were searching for pasture for their livestock.
The authorities called for an immediate and thorough investigation into the violent killing of the pastoralists.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) called on the government to de-escalate the situation by deploying security in the affected villages of Agoro, Chomboro, Obama, and Ayii.
According to a statement issued by UNMISS, the recent attacks and burning of houses in Magwi County have created widespread public fear in neighboring areas of Lokiliri in Central Equatoria State.
“Such attacks and counter-attacks must stop, but the ultimate primary responsibility for protecting civilians lies with the Government, and I commend the deployment of security forces to restore order. However, it is equally imperative that humanitarian access is maintained for aid to reach the newly displaced,” said Nicholas Haysom, the UN Special Representative to South Sudan.
The UN Special Representative reiterated UNMISS’s commitment to partnering with relevant stakeholders and intensively engaging with communities and authorities to reduce tensions. He added that the Mission is sending peacekeeping patrols to affected areas to boost security.