By James Innocent
Yei River County faces an environmental crisis, exacerbated by recent conflict and unsustainable resource exploitation.
The county has witnessed a significant depletion of its forest cover, with millions of trees lost. This deforestation is driven, in part, by the export of timber logs through Uganda, generating substantial profits for external actors while local communities receive minimal benefits.
Within Yei, trees are reportedly being sold cheaply by land authorities, further contributing to the environmental degradation without commensurate community gain.
The escalating climate change impacts are becoming increasingly evident. The beginning of 2025 saw a severe heatwave that resulted in loss of livestock. The extreme temperatures forced the closure of schools, sending children home until the onset of rainfall, highlighting the vulnerability of the county’s population to climate shocks.
In response to this alarming situation, James Mugwo Murithihi, Peacebuilding Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), has issued a strong call to action.
Speaking to the community in Yei River County, Murithihi emphasized the urgent need for widespread reforestation efforts.
“I want all the young people to plant more trees so that they fight against the climatic conditions and you should plant in the whole county and beyond,” he said.
In addition to environmental efforts, the Director of Youth Sports and Culture in Yei River County advocates for agricultural development as a cornerstone for the country’s future.
He encourages young people to seize opportunities in farming and calls for the allocation of land to enable them to cultivate crops.
This, he believes, will not only support the local economy but also contribute positively to the environment and climate resilience.
Previously, Emmanuel Taban Seme, the Commissioner of Yei River County, issued a stern warning to timber loggers, urging them to cease excessive logging practices.
He expressed concern over the significant number of large trees that have been indiscriminately cut down, resulting in barren landscapes that pose a severe risk to the local climate and biodiversity.