By William Ating – Torit
Members of Parliament representing Magwi County in the Eastern Equatoria assembly appreciate the decision taken during the recent meeting between governor Lobong and Bor leadership urging cattle keepers to move out of Magwi area.
Assembly Chief Whip, Peter Otim Carlos told press on Tuesday that people have been disappointed by the character of the cattle herders for not respecting the presidential order for the relocate cows from the Equatoria region.
He says cattle are to be driven out of Magwi County immediately to allow farming activities as the rainy season is approaching.
The MP explained that cattle keepers at Mugali, Melijo and those around Nimule should leave within two weeks to allow people to prepare and begin farming.
He says Acholi or Madi are not raiding cattle in Magwi County and that people in the county do not know about cattle raiding or those behind the previous raiding.
Otim cautions that “the remaining cattle and the keepers at Mugali, Melijio and around Nimule to leave Magwi County within a period of two weeks from the date of this press release. This is to allow our people to begin the activities of farming because rain is soon starting, cattle keeping and cattle raiding are activities peculiar to Madi and Acholi communities, the people of Magwi do not know about any cattle raiding nor the people who carried out the raid, as such our people cannot stop raiding since they don’t know the raiders”.
The lawmakers say the Magwi community will allow safe passage of cattle keepers with their animals from their land, but not accountable for any protection.
“The cattle herders know how they brought their cattle to Magwi and who protected them when coming. Therefore, they also know how they will return and who will protect them on their return. The communities of Magwi will allow them safe passage from their land but will not be responsible for any protection since they themselves are unprotected”, he notes.
The speaker made the remark to the media on Tuesday in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State Assembly.