Since mid December 2013, South Sudan has been experiencing a political crisis that erupted within the ruling party’s top leadership. The crisis started in the national capital, Juba, in Central Equatoria state and engulfed other states like Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei.
Western Equatoria state has been one of the states that has experienced relative peace compared with other states in the country, with the exception of smaller insecurity problems caused by Ugandan Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebels in some parts of the state like Ezo, Nzara and Tombura counties that border Central African Republic–CAR and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) respectively.
However, last year parts of Mundri West, Mundri East, Mvolo and Maridi Counties have been invaded my cattle keepers from Lake State. The coming of these cattle keepers into the area is causing tension with the local who are mostly farmers. The pastoralist communities often graze on the farms of the host communities in almost all the counties mentioned above.
Apart from this problem, the host communities accused the invading communities from Lakes States of cattle rustling. Cattle are often raided from other communities, either in Jonglei or in Lakes states, and being driven to Western Equatoria State. This conflict has caused the death of a large but unrecorded number of people on both sides.
The cattle keepers have also started raiding the cattle of the locals. On Dec. 26, 2014 at midnight cattle raiding occurred in an area called Modubai Boma, about 20 km north of Maridi town. Three locals were killed and one injured. Many herds of cattle were driven to unknown areas towards Lakes State.
Apart from the insecurity of cattle raiding, the evading communities have been accused of taking part in ambushing and looting vehicles travelling within the states.
Last week, the police in Maridi County intercepted a plan by the suspected cattle raiders who staged an ambush along Mambe-Yei road. One suspect was killed.
This new development in the state has caused worry to the governor, Mr. Joseph Bangasi Bakasoro, and the whole population, who know nothing about warlike situations.
In an effort to defuse the worrying situation, the state government is organizing for a peace conference to take place soon in the most affected areas of Mundri East and West as well as Mvolo and Maridi Counties. The conference is targeting both the cattle keepers and the host communities.
By Stanley Puji Dagule