Communities of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State have resolved to unite against infiltration by criminal elements from outside.
The Pari, Tennet, Lopit, Lokoya and Toposa community representatives made the resolution during a meeting with Governor Louis Lobong Lojore on Wednesday. The meeting aimed at finding solutions to the infiltration of the state by criminal elements from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. The criminals have carried out child abductions, cattle raids and killings.
The suspected criminals have reportedly been taking advantage of their language similarities with some Eastern Equatoria communities.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Asis Otulo Okeleki, from the Tennet community said the intellectuals would talk to the people at the grassroots level to advise them to guard against the infiltration by criminals from distant communities.
The leader of the Lokoya community, Emmanuel Justine, confirmed the resolutions and said they would henceforth not allow suspect outsiders to roam around the bushes of Eastern Equatoria State
Eastern Equatoria State Minister for Information and government spokesperson Elia John Ahaji said the community leaders should continue enlightening the locals on protecting the children from abductors.
He said the government encouraged communities to be vigilant and respond to any aggression intended to cause insecurity in the area.