South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State concluded a conference Tuesday aimed at resolving persistent conflicts between farmers and cattle herders, with participants pledging to implement a 10-point peace plan.
The two-day conference, which ended on Sept. 30, was organized by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM). It brought together government officials, community leaders, and representatives from both herding and farming communities.
In his closing address, Central Equatoria Governor Gen. Rubi Majung declared that the “time for implementation has come.”
“The state government is fully committed to ensuring follow-up,” Majung said at the Juba Grand Hotel. “We shall strengthen coordination with security forces and ensure that there is a mechanism in place to oversee the implementation of these resolutions.”
He emphasized that the gathering was not a “mere talk show” and that its success would be judged by the faithful execution of the adopted resolutions. “Let us remember: cattle herders and farmers are not enemies—they are partners in development,” Majung said.
The conference’s resolutions include forming a high-level committee to oversee the peace plan, strengthening the rule of law, and designating specific grazing corridors to regulate cattle movement.
The plan also calls for the construction of water reservoirs in high-need areas to reduce conflicts over resources and the enforcement of a presidential order for the return of cattle not originally from Central Equatoria to their states of origin.
Pitia Moses, a project manager for CEPO, urged participants to act on the recommendations, noting that the government faces challenges in managing livestock movement. He specifically called on herders in the Terekeka area to refrain from moving their livestock to other areas.
Participants and representatives expressed support for the dialogue.
Sultan Machar, a herders’ representative, said he was satisfied with the conference.
Youssef Brown, a farmers’ representative from the Yei River area, stated that while farmers in Central Equatoria historically had no problems with herders, conflicts between the two groups have escalated in recent years.
The conference also adopted a set of earlier agreements known as the Kuda Resolutions.