I don’t own cattle in Equatoria- Makuei

The national Minister for Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, has dismissed rumours that he owns some herds of cattle causing havoc in the Equatoria region.

Speaking during the wedding ceremony of Dr. Mach Majier Gai in Juba on Sunday, Makuei asked for proof of the presence of his cattle in the Equatoria area.

He challenged the rumour mongers to back up their claims, saying he would allow the army to slaughter such animals if he had them.

 “People say these cattle belong to those of Makuei Lueth [sic]. If you think I have cattle there, [then] give Makuei the responsibility of it. I will allow the army to slaughter them. If you know that I don’t have cattle there, then evacuate the cattle there, “he said while addressing the gathering.

He called on the herders to move the cattle to their places of origin, arguing that ‘‘waiting for the rainy season’’ should not be an excuse because there is plenty of water along the Nile.

“The pastoralists are here claiming that there is no way they can evacuate cattle now. We have sent the army, so [any] person who is refusing to leave will bear the consequences, “he added.

“The army has no problem with the person who has left early, but if you are the last person [then] you will feed the army.

“We have sent the army, and they do not have food with them. They will be eating the cattle of those who are not complying with our orders. “

Call for evacuation

Late last month, Makuei ordered cattle keepers from Jonglei State rearing grazing cattle in the Equatoria region to leave immediately to avoid the conflict.

“We are responsible for the confusion that is happening in cattle camps here. When we say that you should evacuate your cattle, people say “Okay.” In the evening, the same people go and give different information to herders. I don’t want cattle around here,’’ Makuei said.

He reiterated that freedom of movement should not be misused because everyone owns land in their state.

“If we say these cattle should be evacuated, we are asked why should we take them back, and the constitution says there is [freedom] or citizens [are entitled] to live anywhere they feel comfortable in South Sudan.

“Do not be misled by such statements. It is said that you can live anywhere, but each person should live on their own land, “Makuei added.

Taxing herders          

Last month, the Central Equatoria State Minister for Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency, Moro Isaac Jenesio, said the cabinet had been directed by Governor Emmanuel Adil to design a plan to address the thorny issue of cattle roaming in the state.

Jenesio said the cabinet was yet to decide on a policy of taxing herders so that the state could generate income from it. He further noted that the state would also prepare grazing lands and pastoralists who would need pasture for their cattle would pay some money to be allowed to graze cattle there.

“The governor asked some of the ministers to come up with a plan to draft some state policies on how we can be able to minimise the rampant movement of cattle. In the plan that we intend to come out with, it will involve taxing these herds of cattle,” said Jenesio.

“If you are capable of doing it then we will say okay, welcome to Central Equatoria because we are also benefiting from you but that will not also be at the expense of the agrarian community.”

Jenesio stressed that the delay in the graduation of the police forces to maintain law and order was fuelling the challenge of cattle.

“You even read from the media that the governor led delegations to the cattle camps to move these cattle that is based on the order issued by the President, and of course, as we move them, we, first of all, try to talk to them to move alone and if they fail to do so, we will be forced to use the apparatus that we have to move them,” the minister stated.

He added, “The challenge now is that the police force that we should have had as the state government to maintain law and order, is still under training under the unified force which calls for a voice. If the unification of the army is delayed, then the unification of the police should be done.”

He said once the resolution is passed, the state government would start issuing permits for the willing communities to access Central Equatoria State but must pay for grazing lands.