Authorities of Amadi State in South Sudan say large farmlands have been destroyed by the movement of cattle causing huge agricultural losses and raising tensions between farmers and pastoralists.
Amadi information minister John Obote told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday that about 38 farms were totally destroyed by the movement of large herds of cattle in the area. He said the destruction could weigh heavily on the food security in the state.
Obote noted that the pastoralists have failed to heed to instructions by the state government to vacate the state within a period of 21 days, adding that they have further disregarded President Salva Kiir’s directives to withdraw their cattle from the area.
According to the local official, the pastoralists are demanding more time to allow their cattle which they claim are sick to recover before they depart.
In October last year, President Kiir issued an order instructing the army to ensure immediate withdrawal of pastoralists together with their cattle from the Equatoria region and leave for Jonglei, Eastern Lakes and Terekeka states, an order yet to be implemented.