Unity state deputy governor, Ruweng admin clash at governors’ forum over land dispute   

JUBA – South Sudan’s deputy governor of the country’s Unity State, Tor Tungwar Kweiguong, and the Chief Administrator of Ruweng Administrative Area, Michael Jaw, on Thursday clashed at the 5th Governors’ Forum in Juba over land grabbing and cattle rustling.

Speaking during the forum, Jaw accused unidentified criminals from Unity state of disturbing the administrative area’s peace by entering their borders to steal cattle and kill claiming that there was an attack the day just before the opening session of the forum.

“Unity states are the one disturbing us. The insecurity in Ruweng is caused by the people of Unity State. It happened the day before yesterday that cattle raiders came from Unity state and stole more than 1000 heads of cattle but were recovered yesterday afternoon,” Jaw said.

The top Ruweng official urged the Unity state deputy governor to intervene by talking to armed civilians in Unity state to avoid the alleged attacks against Ruweng civilians.

“We need that spirit and I want my colleague, the deputy governor, to talk with his people,” he said.

But the deputy governor of Unity state dismissed the claims of cattle raiding and accused the people of Ruweng of standing behind attempts to grab land which he said will be a source of instability if not resolved.

“Honorable Jaw, we are not against you to have your administrative areas but we are very concerned about the consequences of grabbing land from others,’’ Tungwar said at the 5th governors’ forum in Juba on Thursday.

“Unless you want administrative areas without borders, we would be very happy if Pariang is made to be an administrator alone, and Abiemnom is made to be an Administrative area on its own because there are two counties already, which is another conflict,” he added.

He urged for a forum in which the governors and chief administrators of those areas can talk to resolve land disputes and also questioned President Kiir for creating administrative areas with no common borders.

“As Governors and deputy governors and chief administrators, we need a forum where we can discuss this issue. Mayom and Abiemnom were put as one constituency simply because they also have the same border,” he said.

“My question to his excellency the president, and his excellency, the first vice, who are our principles plus the principles of other political parties. My question is why did you formed an administrative areas with counties which do not have common borders?’’ he questioned.