Terekeka County Commissioner Warnyank Laku Buyu has warned young people across the county against bothering Dinka Bor cattle herders as they move out of Central Equatoria State.
Earlier this month, the government of Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil temporarily moved to Kajokeji to ensure all Dinka Bor pastoralists and their cattle leave the county after the killing of over 20 civilians in Lire Payam.
Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony to honor Dr. Lujang Jangling who recently received a doctorate in Malaysia, Buyu said Mundari youth have severally been accused of causing chaos in neighboring communities.
“As the Bor herders are returning, you should allow them to move freely. I want to give this message to the Mundari. The Bor people are your brothers and you intermarry. Let them go,” he said. “There is an indication that they are passing on the side of Nyori and the Northern part of Terekeka.”
Commissioner Buyu directed the youth leaders to ensure all wrestling activities are conducted in church compounds so as not to interrupt the movement of the Bor herders.
He, however, expressed dismay about reports of Mundari youth, especially the cattle herders, causing chaos in neighboring communities and called on local chiefs and parents to talk to their children to cease violence.
“Mundaris have now developed bad relations with their neighbors and do not even know how to get out of the situation,” he said.
In January this year, at least seven people were reportedly killed and two others injured in Surei Village of Dollo Payam in Juba County by suspected armed Mundari cattle herders.
Last week, Mundari herders displaced people in Wonduruba after harassing civilians.
The commissioner also admitted that the Mundari cattle herders are accused of killing people in Mundri County in Western Equatoria State. He said that no day passes without a report of someone being killed by the herders.
“I do not even sleep and no day passes without a report of a killing,” he said. “Now in Mundri, your brothers are killing people.”
He said it was not right to kill innocent people on their land.