A herd of cattle in Bor, Jonglei State. [Gurtong |File]
By Joseph Nashion
YAMBIO, 30 July 2012 [Gurtong] - The Commissioners are concerned that the arrival of cattle keepers in the area could lead to a conflict and clashes with the local communities.
The Commissioner of Mundri West Lexson Mabruk alleges that the herdsmen are posing a danger to the locals since some of them are armed with rifles.
Mabruk says that since there is an ongoing disarmament exercise in the neighboring Jonglei State, most of those arriving could be armed.
There are a total of 864 cattle camps in Greater Mundri area crowded with the migrants.
The Communities in Mundri area have often clashed with cattle keepers in the past.
In March, officials from Western Equatoria and Lakes states reached an agreement to limit the number of cattle coming into the state for grazing.
Western Equatoria’s acting Governor Sapana Abuyiinsists Lakes State is not honouring that agreement.
Other regions in South Sudan have had similar agreements.
Officials from Mundri East and Terekeka County agreed that no cattle would be allowed to graze in Mundri East during the planting and harvesting seasons.
The arrival of cattle herdsmen from distant states such as Jonglei has caught officials unawares.
Mundri Commissioners are calling on residents to remain calm and avoid confrontation until a solution is found.
The Commissioners have requested for additional police to protect the locals.