The governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, has revealed that out of the estimated population of 1,507,980 in the state 600,000 people are displaced internally as IDPs and externally as refugees in neighboring countries.
He accused the non-signatories to the revitalized peace deal of fomenting insecurity, especially Gen. Thomas Cirillo’s National Salvation Front (NAS), and armed cattle herders who roam the state.
Governor Adil was speaking during the commencement of a workshop on governance organized by UNMISS and the Central Equatoria State government.
“This population is scattered in Juba, Kajo-Keji, Lainya, Morobo, Terekeka, Yei River counties, and Juba City Council, and about 600,000 of this population are either displaced internally or as refugees,” Governor Adil said. “We have challenges and one of them is the non-signatories to the agreement. These are the SSOMA, or NAS in particular, who are causing insecurity.”
He added, “We also have armed robberies and abductions in parts of Juba and some of our counties. Even conflicts at the family level and challenges regarding land issues which is now popularly known as land grabbing. Cattle from neighboring states are also causing problems.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Lainya County, Emmanuel Khamis, said that the security situation in his area was calm and that there have been incidents reported in the last six days. He said that armed cattle herders from Terekeka County had in the recent past caused displacement of civilians.
“Previously there have been major incidents that created insecurity in Lainya, one was the issue of the influx of the armed cattle keepers in different Payams of Lainya County which caused the displacement, killing, and looting of cattle and other household properties of the people of Lainya County,” Commissioner Khamis said.