According to Emmanuel Khamis, former commissioner of Lainya County, Valentino was murdered the previous evening, heightening fears about community safety.
“He was killed in cold blood yesterday morning, and his goats and household belongings were looted by armed cattle keepers,” said Khamis, who previously served as both Juba’s mayor and Lainya’s county commissioner.
Khamis noted that armed cattle keepers continue to roam greater Yei and surrounding counties, grazing on farmlands, looting, terrorising locals, and even committing murders.
Lainya County Commissioner Robert Lasu John Morris condemned the raids and the killing of the elder.
“It is with deep concern and disappointment that we address the recent violent acts by cattle keepers in Lainya County. Raiding goats and taking the life of their owner is a grave violation of human rights and threatens the peace and security of our community,” stated Commissioner Morris.
He also highlighted the county’s unsuccessful attempts to engage herders in peaceful coexistence with the farming community.
“Their blatant disregard for the lives and livelihoods of our people is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” Morris added.
He urged the Mundari cattle keepers to honour dialogue agreements, respect the rights and boundaries of Lainya County residents, and either coexist peacefully or leave the area.
In 2017, President Salva Kiir Mayardit ordered the army to ensure the immediate withdrawal of pastoralists and their herds from farmlands to their places of origin.
Despite this and other initiatives, violations have persisted, fueling ongoing tensions between farmers and herders.
