Dr. Isaiah Akol Mathiang Madia, the deputy governor of Lake State on Wednesday morning arrived in the Western Equatoria State capital, Yambio, on a visit and mission to build bilateral relations.
He said there were issues between cattle keepers and farmers along the borders of the two states and that his visit would also discuss how cattle traders from Lake State can do business in Western Equatoria State.
“I came to Western Equatoria State today (Wednesday) and it is a great day because I paid a visit to Governor Alfred Futuyo. The purpose of this visit is to build relations between the two states and to strengthen trade, specifically cattle trade,” he explained. “Sometime back, there were issues between cattle keepers and farmers and we want to build a connection between the two states so that they can do cattle business well. We are happy to visit Governor Futuyo and we hope he will visit us too.”
“Western Equatoria State is peaceful and very cool,” Dr. Akol added.
For his part, Western Equatoria State Governor Gen. Futuyo welcomed the Lake State deputy governor and said his visit was a good gesture to build cooperation between the two states which was lacking.
“I give much thanks to Lakes State Governor Rin Tueny Mabor for allowing his deputy to visit us. It is a sign of peace and unity which should continue and it will allow us to join hands together at the border,” he said. “There was no good relationship like this before between the two state governments but now Governor Tueny has sent his deputy to come and build a relationship with us. It is a good gesture and there will be no problem.”[
Governor Futuyo added: “We welcome the Lakes State deputy governor and want him to feel free because the state is peaceful.”
Since last year, Western Equatoria State has witnessed conflict between pastoralist nomads and local farmers with the latter accusing the cattle of the herders of destroying their crops. Governor Futuyo gave several orders for herders and their cattle to leave the state but they are seldom obeyed and or enforced.