Conflict in Magwi could trigger biggest crisis
The ongoing conflict between the host community and the cattle keepers in Magwi County could trigger the biggest crisis if the national government does not intervene urgently.
Addressing the press in Torit yesterday Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said if no action is taken by the national government to rescue the situation, Eastern Equatoria State will mobilize themselves and the youth to protect and defend the people of Magwi County.
This came after the cattle herders advanced their attack on the local people of Abara Boma, Iwire Payam of Magwi County on Wednesday and killed 5 people.
The attackers burnt down the unconfirmed number of houses and looted a few cattle belonging to the individuals in the area.
Despite several appeals by the state government to the national government to address the issues, nothing has been done.
The national government needs to intervene to rescue the host community from the aggressors because as long they continue to live within the area, there will always be a conflict between the two communities. There is a tendency that one community would always like to revenge whenever they are attacked which may lead to the cycle and escalation of violence beyond the initial area.
For instance, the conflict began in Agoro-Chomboro, it extended to Omeo, Abara, Nyolo, and soon will reach Magwi county headquarters that would lead to the biggest crisis.
Currently, an estimated 6000 people have been displaced from areas of Abara, Agoro, Omeo Payams and they are now sheltering at Magwi town.
Therefore, the national government needs to find a lasting solution to the crisis to restore calm in the area. These areas where the conflict is taking place lie along the Juba-Nimule Highway which is a lifeline for all citizens. This, with time, will be so risky for some citizens to travel along the route due to targeted killing.
Already the Magwi County Executive Director Ocheng David Tokwaro has confirmed about passengers’ vehicles being stopped along Juba-Nimule Road by the herders.
“On Wednesday there was a vehicle coming from Nimule and some people were made to drop down about ten people, their fate is still unclear. They abducted them but we are not certain whether they are alive or not alive,” said Ocheng.
This is so serious and such behavior has to be stopped because it is not right to hold innocent road users accountable for what does not concern him or them.
We all have reasons to live and peacefully co-exist together as human beings but in a situation where our being threatens other people’s survival then there should be a peaceful means to separate the two for them to continue to survive.
The cattle keepers who are visitors to the territory should be asked to leave the peace so that the farming community can enjoy the farming activities that are their source of livelihood. But the continued aggression in the area will never end the conflict by rather growing in the biggest crisis.
