The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore, has dismissed claims that the recent surge in cattle raiding is politically motivated. Addressing the issue on Tuesday, Lobong refuted allegations from cattle herders in Jonglei State, who have accused the state government of being complicit in the raids.
Lobong emphasized that the people of Eastern Equatoria are victims of cattle raids, not instigators. He clarified that the ongoing conflict stems from inter-communal tensions rather than political agendas.
He pointed to a recent incident where Murle cattle were raided by Dinka Bor herders, leading the Murle to track their stolen livestock into Eastern Equatoria. According to Lobong, this is part of a broader pattern of communal disputes rather than a politically driven conflict.
“Politically motivated? What do we know?†Lobong questioned. The people of Eastern Equatoria are simply victims. When Dinka Bor youth raided cattle from the Murle in Mogiri, was that political? Did the Murle accuse the Central Equatoria government? Did they retaliate by burning villages and killing innocent Bari civilians?â€
Governor Lobong’s remarks come amid rising tensions between cattle herding communities, with local authorities urging peaceful resolutions and improved security measures to curb the violence.