By Philip Buda Ladu
Central Equatoria State (CES) Security Committee has intensified its efforts to enforce a 2017 presidential order mandating the return of armed cattle herders to their places of origin.
The state has issues a three-day ultimatum for the cattle herders to leace Lainya County, as security forces grapple with rebel attacks and cattle raids in Kajo-Keji.
The committee, chaired by Deputy Governor Paulino Lukudu Obede, convened on Tuesday to address escalating security concerns, primarily centered on the persistent presence of armed herders and their disruptive impact on local communities.
Salah Rajab Bunduki, speaking on behalf of the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency, revealed that a high-level state committee, established by gubernatorial directive, has begun field operations in Lainya County.
The committee’s primary objective is to expedite the herders’ return before the onset of the rainy season, allowing residents to resume agricultural activities.
“I want to inform the public that our committee is now in Lainya to pursue the cattle owners to return to their places of origin,” Hon. Rajab stated, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
In Lainya County, the committee’s task force, led by State Security Advisor Angelo Daya Lodu, issued a blatant directive on Tuesday saying armed cattle herders have three days to vacate the area.
“I am urging you the cattle keepers to implement this directives and leave the farmers to cultivate because this is now the rain season, let’s respect our brothers in their land, anything that you took from them you must bring it back so that your generations will not be a victim of your cursed,” Daya stressed.
Lainya County Commissioner Rebort Lasu condemned the herders’ actions and urged them to comply with the numerous presidential and gubernatorial orders for peaceful coexistence among the Lainya, Bor, and Terekeka communities.
Traditional leaders also echoed this sentiment, with Paramount Chief Jackson Lumori expressing deep disappointment.
“When will the cattle harders stop stealing, killing and raping in his community?” he asked, welcoming the governor’s order and the committee’s intervention.
Notably, the cattle herders themselves have reportedly expressed willingness to comply with the order this time round, offering apologies to the host community and regretting their past actions.
As the committee taskforce began its task in Lainya County simultaneously, the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) were engaged in repelling a rebel attack in Kajo-Keji County this week and thwarting a cattle raid in Kajo-Keji County.
The SSPDF reported repelling an attack by National Salvation Front (NAS) rebels on a military detachment in Kansuk boma, Nyepo payam. Concurrently, organized forces were deployed to intercept cattle raiders who had stolen livestock from Kinyiba boma, Lire payam.
“The organized forces pursued the cattle raiders up to Ki’bo stream, and the other out forces in Kala and Mondi were alerted to control all their crossing lines,” a local official reported.
The dual security crises highlight the complex challenges facing Central Equatoria State, as authorities strive to enforce presidential directives regarding cattle herders while simultaneously combating rebel activity and inter-communal violence.