Gov’t threatens ‘full force of law’ against cattle herders in Central Equatoria

JUBA – The government of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State has threatened full force of law against cattle herders currently in Central Equatoria State if they do not leave the state within a 72-hour ultimatum.

This comes after suspected armed herders from neighboring Jonglei State attacked a village in Juba County of Central Equatoria State killing at least five innocent civilians, all of whom are farmers, and wounding six others.

In a statement, the ministry of information of Central Equatoria said it has sent a facts-finding committee and given the herders at least 72 hours to leave the state, failure of which will result in a forceful eviction.

“The security organs in the State are directed to immediately track the perpetrators for apprehension to face the Law,” the ministry statement reads in part.

“On the same note, the Governor has issued an ultimatum of seventy-two (72) hours for the cattle herders to unconditionally leave to their areas of origin or face forceful eviction because their presence is harmful in the State,” it added.

The statement further expressed the solidarity of the governor with the communities where the victims hails from and urged the communities to be calm as the government is working to bring the culprit to justice.

“In solidarity with the affected community, H.E the Governor sent a Facts Finding Committee to investigate the incident,” it said.

“The Committee visited the scene of the incident today and met the displaced population and further assured them of the Government’s commitment to end their plight especially the unwarranted displacement, destruction of crops and looting of their property,” it added.