Jonglei cattle keepers have pledged to compensate for the farms destroyed by livestock and called for negotiations with the Acholi community over grassing land and water points in Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria State.
They made the promise during a Governor’s meeting that brought together the herders and the Acholi community over the presence of cattle in Magwi County.
Earlier this week, the Magwi community expressed alarm over the presence of the over 10,000 cattle from Jonglei, destroying farms and the threat posed to farmers in Agoro and Iwire Payam.
The herders say lack of grazing land and water points for their animals were prompting them to encroach on Magwi.
In 2017, President Salva Kiir issued an order for the removal of the cattle, supported by the recent 8th Governor’s forum resolution for all cattle to be returned to their areas of origin.
The Jonglei cattle keepers’ team leader, Thon Aciek, asked the Government of Eastern Equatoria State to assess the destroyed farms for compensation.
He appealed to the Government and the people of Eastern Equatoria State to grant them two more months for their animals to graze and vowed to leave when the rains begin.
“I am from Dinka Bor, Payam Kulyang. The reason I came here is because there was no grass for our cattle and if our cattle have destroyed some farms, we call on the leaders of Eastern Equatoria State to tell us the value for compensation,” he said.
The leader of the Ayii community of Iwire Payam, Ogole William Oryem, said the Acholi community would not accept compensation but called for the immediate exit of the Jonglei herders.
Oryem said the insecurity and the threats to civilians had worsened in the area because the Jonglei cattle keepers are heavily armed.
“We do not want the compensation, they should return to their land because if they continue to stay here, we will resist. We want to live in peace on our land and nobody should threaten us here,” he said.
Acholi Women leader Akech Marta, whose relatives were killed during clashes with the Jonglei herders, expressed fear over their heavy arms.
She said the Acholi would not welcome the compensation and a meeting over grazing and water point for fear of damages and loss of lives.
Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said the State leadership agreed to the compensation following an apology from the Jonglei herders.
He tasked Magwi County Commissioner Benjamin Olum Polepole to register all the destroyed farms for compensation as the Government negotiates the exit of the cattle.