The governor of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State has issued an order stopping harvest of teak logs until further notice.
Easter Radio, an FM station in Yei, reported that the order by Governor Clement Wani Konga’s follows “massive deforestation without replacement.”
Yei River County commissioner Juma David Augustine read out the order on Wednesday.
Earlier this month the commissioner recommended the governor issue a decree to protect the forests. He warned against deforestation and lack of benefit for the communities.
Several people were wounded in the county in early April during scuffles between Kagelu residents and employees of the Gambo and Sons Timber Company
The protesters said their communities did not benefit from the harvesting of the dwindling teak forests and demanded better services in terms of education, health care and clean drinking water.
Related coverage:
Protest in Yei turns violent; five injured (4 Apr.)
Reporting by Catholic Radio Network; file photo by UNEP