Pastoralists and farmers in Wau County in South Sudan’s Western Bahr al Ghazal state report rising tensions between their communities, a local official said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, Wau County Commissioner Elia Kamilo Dimo expressed concern about what he termed “proliferation of arms” in the hands of herders who crossed from neighboring Warrap state.
The official further said the herders are now provoking the local farmers.
“We are not banning the pastoralists from coming to the area, but we reject the use of arms because it is now causing insecurity and instability,” he said.
Kamilo pointed out that illegal grazing of cattle is negatively affecting farming. He disclosed that they will soon hold a meeting in Wau town with county commissioners of Warrap state to discuss the issue.