Security officials in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State say they are unable to effect an order banning fishing activities in the state due to a lack of written communication from the state health ministry.
Northern Bahr el Ghazal health ministry recently banned all fishing activities after huge numbers of fish were found dead with strange wounds along the Lol River in Aweil Center, Aweil West, Aweil North, and Aweil East counties.
The ministry also cautioned locals against eating such fish until results from ongoing investigations confirm that the fish is fit for consumption.
The state security adviser, Joseph Akook Aleu, told Radio Tamazuj that citizens continue fishing and eating the fish despite the ban.
“We have talked to the people to stop eating the fish, but the citizens don’t listen,” says Akook. “We told them to stop any fishing activities until results come out. We don’t know the infection, even cows which drink from the river have contracted diarrhea.”
He added that a team of experts from Juba had arrived and is examining the matter.
Aweil East County police inspector, Col. John Garang Akook, says they cannot enforce the ban without an official order.
“The order is there, but as the police, I implement what is documented. If there is an official document, I can implement it immediately. Animal health authorities should have circulated a document on the ban so that the police can implement it,” he added.
Brigadier General Mabior Deng Deng, the Aweil North County police inspector urged the citizens, who mostly depend on fishing in the dry season, to remain patient until state and health experts give a go-ahead.