MUNDRI – The Commissioner of Mvolo County in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, Amaai Ruben Majok, has warned of a looming food crisis as cattle from neighbouring Lakes State continue to destroy farmlands across the county.
Speaking to Sudans Post this week, Commissioner Amaai described the situation as alarming, saying the influx of cattle herders has disrupted farming activities and worsened hunger among residents.
“Our farms are being destroyed by cattle almost every week. People are hungry and frustrated, but we continue to urge them to remain calm as the government works to address the matter,” he said.
Amaai added that his office has reported the issue to the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement and appealed to the Governor of Lakes State to ensure the herders return to their home areas before the situation turns violent.
“If this continues, it may lead to insecurity between farmers and herders,” the commissioner warned.
Farming is the main source of food and income in Mvolo County. However, residents say the destruction of crops has left many families facing severe food shortages.
Martha Ikuya, a farmer from Kokori Village, expressed frustration over the repeated loss of her crops.
“Our farms are everything we have. When cattle eat our crops, our children go hungry. We just want to cultivate in peace,” she said.
Civil society activist Edmund Yakani, Executive Director of CEPO, has appealed to the National Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries, the Ministry of Interior, and the acting Governor of Western Equatoria State to respond urgently to the commissioner’s concerns.
Yakani warned that the growing tensions between farmers and herders could spark violence and worsen food insecurity if left unaddressed.
“The presidential order issued in 2017 directing all cattle keepers to leave the Equatoria region is not being implemented. Authorities must act now to prevent deadly clashes and protect food production,” he stressed.
In 2017, President Salva Kiir ordered all cattle herders to move their animals out of the Equatoria region to ease tensions and allow farming to continue. However, the directive remains largely unenforced.
As the rainy season comes to an end, farmers in Mvolo fear another year of hunger if cattle remain in their farmlands.
Efforts by Sudans Post to reach officials from Lakes State and cattle keepers’ representatives were unsuccessful.
