By Otto Abut
The Government of Central Equatoria State has renewed its warning to all cattle keepers operating in unauthorized areas of the state, urging them to peacefully return to their designated areas of origin immediately or face enforcement measures.
Addressing a press conference on Tuesday, the Minister of Information and Communication, Nyarsuk Patrick James, said the directive is part of implementing the Rokon Peace Consensus, which seeks to end recurring conflicts between cattle keepers and farming communities.
The minister said cattle-related conflicts continue to consume resources that would otherwise be invested in essential public services. He noted that the latest directive, adopted by the State Security Committee, is intended to prevent further intercommunal violence, loss of life, and the destruction of crops resulting from clashes between farmers and cattle keepers.
“We are injecting a lot of resources to address cattle raiding instead of delivering services to people in the villages,” the minister said.
According to the minister, approximately 80 percent of the resolutions under the Rokon Peace Consensus have already been implemented. He added that security in Rokon has improved significantly following the relocation of cattle from the area.
“This is a final warning. Anyone who refuses to comply will be arrested, taken to court, and dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.
He revealed that more than 34 head of cattle were handed over to the Government of Western Equatoria State last week, while arrangements are underway to transfer about 30 head of cattle from Western Equatoria back to Central Equatoria State as part of the implementation of the Rokon Peace Consensus.
The minister also disclosed that six suspects linked to criminal activities associated with cattle movements have been arrested and are in detention, including an individual identified as Mr. Jele, whom authorities accuse of terrorizing residents. He said all the suspects will be processed through the courts.
“The state government will not tolerate violations of the agreement. Anyone who refuses to return to their place of origin will face action by law enforcement agencies, including prosecution before the courts,” he warned.
The minister clarified that the directive is not intended to expel any community from Central Equatoria State.
“The Mundari people are part and parcel of Central Equatoria State. We are not chasing them out. We are implementing the presidential directive that cattle should return to their places of origin to reduce conflict between farmers and cattle keepers,” he explained.