A 16-year-old boy sustained gunshot wounds and more than 2,000 people in Agoro Payam, Magwi County of South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria State were displaced when cattle keepers stormed the area on Wednesday, residents and authorities said.
Magwi County Executive Director David Ocheng Tukwaro confirmed the displacement and urged the government to urgently provide humanitarian support to the displaced.
“The total population of IDPs is 2,810 mostly women and children and elderly. The men decided to remain behind. There are problems with food, shelters, while others are living with their friends or relatives and sharing food with the host communities,” he said.
Ocheng urged the host community to assist those who are seeking refuge in the areas as the government takes up the matter.
David otto Remson, Magwi County Commissioner says that despite efforts to maintain peace between the cattle keepers and residents, the situation is getting worse.
“We went with the local government including the governor to one of the largest kraals in the area after the community complained. When we asked the cattle keepers they said there lack water and grass which is why they came to the area. There are some resolutions we made, they must return to their area peacefully, that is what we want,” Commissioner Otto said.
Many of the displaced, mostly women and children are in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
Komakech Nunu, a 32-year-old man from Chomboro Boma in Agoro Payam worries for the displaced and calls for government support.
“We, the people of Chomboro, if the government is listening to us let them help us with anything that will help the community because children, women, and elders are now suffering. Some you can see their legs are swollen while others are still on the way,” Nunu said. “The cattle keepers chased people but they did not burn houses. They went away but we know they will come back like in the past. They came with cattle and just shoot people innocently in the area and this is very bad you cannot just come with your cattle and shoot people innocently in the area.”
Okot Romeo, a chief in Chomboro Boma says Wiopur, Botoyo, Ocerno areas in Agoro payam are largely invaded by cattle keepers who say they will not leave the areas.
“They told the Lokoya in Chomboro that they are planning to fight with them but the people said they would not fight. They said they will not leave the land unless the Lokoya plant grass in their lands and remove all the water in their areas,” Chief Romeo said.
He adds that the livelihoods of the residents have been affected as they cannot go into the forest to make charcoal, their main source of livelihood.
“They also don’t want people to enter the forest, yet people here survive by cutting trees and burning charcoal. These people don’t want to see anyone in the forests. Also, the people cannot go their farmlands to cultivate,” he noted.
For nhis part, the state information minister Patrick Oting cyprian said the government is concerned about the incident and has sent a fact-finding team to the area.
“We are not happy about what is happening and as a government, we are saying it is not good. We stand with the civilians where ever they go,” he added.