Jonglei disputes over grazing lands, crop destruction, and access to water resources have fuelled tensions, threatening the fragile peace in most parts of the equatorial region.

By Riak Chol

Jonglei State government in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Friday a plan to repatriate back home cattle herders from the Equatoria region.

This was resolved in a meeting aimed to provide sustainable peace between the cattle keepers of Jonglei State and farmers of the Equatoria region.

The meeting underscored that the annual cattle migrations, especially from Bor, have increasingly become a flashpoint for conflict with farmers in the Equatoria region.

Jonglei disputes over grazing lands, crop destruction, and access to water resources have fuelled tensions, threatening the fragile peace in most parts of the equatorial region.

The meeting chaired by Jonglei State Deputy Governor Atong Kuol Manyang Juuk brought together national members of parliament, members of the State legislative assembly, traditional chiefs, cattle camps leaders, youth leaders, among others.

Speaking at the closing of the event, Ms. Atong said the return of the pastoralists back to Jonglei is their collective responsibility.   

“The path to sustainable peace requires a collective effort from all stakeholders. The government, civil society organizations, international partners, and, most importantly, the herders and farmers themselves must work together to implement these solutions,” she said.  

She added that the repatriation of the pastoralists to the state would help in improving the security in the state.

“Let us ensure that we support the cattle keepers to come back home. Let’s all support them all-heartedly, from the government to the community. We all have to cooperate and give them our support,” Atong said.

James Ghai Makhor, the Commissioner for Bor County said they are ready to receive the pastoralists back home.

“We will make sure that we welcome our people back home and there are pastures nowadays in parts of Bor County. We will make sure that we provide our own security,” Makhor added.

Ajang Achiek Mabil, one of the cattle herders, said they are ready to return to Jonglei state, but was cautious of the imminent challenges ahead of them.

“The reason that caused us to migrate from Jonglei State to parts of Equatoria region is the flooding and the disease, which are killing our cattle. We also went there to look for pastures,” he explained.

The herder appealed to the Jonglei State government to ensure that their measures were put in place to control the flooding during the rainy season.

“We will make sure that we welcome our people back home and there are pastures nowadays in parts of Bor County. We will make sure that we provide our own security,” said James Ghai Makhor, the Commissioner for Bor County.