By Chol D. Johnson
The Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) members of Parliament representing the Mundari community have called on the Central Equatoria State (CES) government to construct water ponds for cattle keepers.
Speaking on Monday during the Rokon Peace Consensus in Juba, Daniel Abocha Ali emphasised the need to prioritise water sources for cattle keepers to limit unnecessary movement from place to place.
“The CES government should prioritise water points for cattle keepers in order to avoid movement,” Abocha stated.
He expressed his appreciation to the CES Deputy Governor, Paulino Lukudu Obede, for standing with the people of the state and facilitating the Rokon Peace Consensus.
He urged the chiefs and youth of the Mundari community to respect the peace agreement and remain united as the people of Central Equatoria.
Abocha also encouraged the youth to facilitate the return of cattle to their home areas to foster peace in both the Central and Western Equatoria states.
He stressed that individuals who violate the terms of the Rokon Peace Consensus should face the full force of the law.
Abocha noted that most cattle raiding and clashes between pastoralists and farmers are driven by cattle keepers searching for pasture and water sources for their livestock.
However, he acknowledged the challenge of retrieving cattle that have been raided and are currently held by the opposition.
Echoing these sentiments, Wani Buyu Dyori, acting chairperson of the Mundari community and member of Parliament, urged the government to prioritise the protection of civilians and ensure the urgent return of cattle from other states to their areas of origin.
Mathew Buya Monna, a chief from the Mundari community, called on the CES government to coordinate with Western Equatoria State (WES) authorities to stop WES youth from attacking Mundari cattle keepers.
Buyu added that providing reliable water sources within the pastoralists’ areas would significantly reduce insecurity among the communities.
Representing the Mundari youth, Garang Lukojo Nyang affirmed that the Mundari cattle would be returned to their places of origin as directed by the peace consensus.
He, however, highlighted the difficulty of recovering the raided cattle currently in the hands of the opposition.