By William Ating – Torit
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore advised IDPs from Agoro and Abara to go back to their homes as he assures them of safe security.
He spoke over the weekend during visit to the IDPs in Magwi County, Radio Emmanuel reported.
Last week hundreds of people Abara Boma and Agoro Payam left their homes and took refuge at Magwi Payam headquarters after suspected cattle herders stormed their areas.
Lobong said those from Abara and Agoro should all go back to their area as they provide security for them in their respective location and look forward to bringing the issue of cattle to an end.
According to him, resolving issue of cattle needs collective responsibility from both the state and the national government.
“What I want from you is those from Agoro should go back to Agoro and those from Abara should go back to Abara, there are those soldiers at the road side to protect you so that you give for us time to look into the issue of the cattle to finish their problem at once because me alone from Eastern Equatoria can’t not solve this problem alone unless with help from Juba. I know there are people who died and properties were lost. I want this case to end here. Government will plan like this to bring you together the Acholi, Madi and the cattle keepers to know what is the main problem”, he said.
Governor Lobong advised people to be patient as the government takes time in resolving issues in regard to cattle in Magwi County.
“The last thing is that only government can send away the cattle not with fighting not even civilians, the government will solve this issue, but only needs our patient leaving it to the government to take time. From today what happened should be left in the hand of the government, so we are telling you nobody should go there and do anything, we told these people to stop and nobody should come again”, he enlightened.
Women Leader of Magwi County, Anyek Rose Oling is worried that if the issue of cattle is not resolved, peace will not prevail in the county.
She urges the government to speed up the plan to remove all cattle in Magwi County including those owning cattle given by their in-laws.
The speakers made the remark during the Governor’s visit to assess the condition of the IDPs and destruction of the houses burnt down by cattle keepers in Magwi County.