Authorities in Lainya County, Central Equatoria state, said on Saturday they have formed a joint committee to ensure the peaceful withdrawal of armed cattle herders who recently entered the area in large numbers.
County officials say cattle belonging to herders from the Dinka Bor and Mundari communities moved into Lainya in late December, settling in parts of Lainya, Mukaya, Lokurubang, Wuji and Kenyi, where they have destroyed farms and looted property.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Lainya County Commissioner Robert Lasu said the influx of cattle herders has caused widespread damage to farmland, particularly in Lokurubang, Mukaya, Kenyi and Wuji.
“The cattle are many, especially in Lokurubang, Mukaya, Kenyi and Wuji,” Lasu said. “Those in Lainya payam are mainly from Terekeka, while those in Wuji are Dinka Bor. They are causing destruction of farms, although the general security situation remains calm.”
Lasu said a joint operations committee was established following a security meeting to oversee the peaceful departure of the herders and protect civilians.
“We have formed a joint committee to ensure the safety of our civilians,” he said. “We are waiting for logistics, including repairs to a vehicle, before the operation begins.”
Jackson Lumori, the paramount chief of Lainya County, warned that continued destruction of farms and looting could trigger fresh displacement.
“Since December, Dinka Bor arrived first and caused destruction, and now Mundari cattle herders have come in large numbers across all five payams,” Lumori said. “They harvest people’s cassava, take flour while it is drying, loot household items, clothes and goats. This is causing suffering and could force people to flee again.”
Lumori added that the presence of armed herders threatens the return of residents hoping to rebuild their lives after years in displacement camps.
“Our people want to return home from refugee camps, but when armed cattle herders move around and destroy property, people will not come back,” he said, urging the government to ensure the herders leave.
Commissioner Lasu appealed to cattle keepers to seek permission from county authorities before grazing in the area and to withdraw peacefully.
“We are all South Sudanese, brothers and sisters,” he said. “But coming from another county or state and destroying farms is not acceptable. They should consult authorities so they can be directed to designated grazing areas.”
Leaders of the cattle herders from Bor and Terekeka were not immediately available for comment.
Encroachment by cattle herders in Lainya, Yei and Kajo-Keji counties has in recent years led to widespread destruction and conflicts.