Jonglei cattle keepers ordered to leave Central Equatoria

JUBA – State authorities in Central Equatoria State of South Sudan have given cattle keepers from Jonglei state stern warning to leave the state within 7 days.

The order was issued by the commissioner of Kajo-Keji County, Kenyi Erasto Michael following resolution of a meeting between cattle keepers and farmers last week.

The provisional order demanded the cattle keepers mainly from Jonglei State to repatriate their cattle to their places of origin within days.

“I Kenyi Erasto Michael, Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County do hereby issue this commissioner’s provisional order for the repatriation of cattle roaming in Kajo-Keji County back to their places of origin within 7 (Seven) days,” said the order seen by Sudans Post.

The annual migration of pastoralists across South Sudan has traditionally created tension between cattle herders and local farmers as they battle for access to scarce resources during the dry season.

For more than two decades, pastoralists from the Jonglei region have migrated with their cattle to parts Equatoria region.

However, recent trends show herders are increasingly moving into areas of Kajo-Keji, using farmland as grazing fields which heightens tension between farmers and herders.  

Last week, the Youth of Kajo-Keji County had given cattle keepers thirty day’s ultimatum to leave Kajo-Keji in a letter presented to Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony.

The directive came when residents reported that presence of cattle herders posed a security threat, and further complicated by destruction of crops by their cattle.