Lobong warns against cattle herding in Magwi County

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State has warned that the presence of cattle in Magwi County, where most of the returnees are expected, is threatening individuals from coming back home.

The governor made the remark during a briefing with the team from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), which included the body’s Special Envoy to IGAD, Amb Mohamed Affey, on Friday.

There are about 500,000 returnees and about 100,000 who have not yet registered across Eastern Equatoria State. This group needs assistance to settle and start rebuilding their lives. This is according to an estimate by the government and development partners operating in the state.

Governor Louis Lobong said the cattle herders are moving from the western side of the river, heading to Yei and Kajokeji, and have already crossed to the eastern side of the river, which is in the territory of Eastern Equatorial State.

“About two days ago, we got a threatening report that large numbers [of cattle were] crossing from the western side of the river around the Yei area and Kajokeji. They have crossed into the eastern side of the river, which is our territory in Eastern equatorial in large numbers, “the governor revealed.

Lobong said his government would work with the cattle keepers and the national government to ensure that the herders go back to their places of origin in order to allow the returnees in Eastern Equatoria State to come home.

The influx of cattle has been reported in Magwi County in recent days, raising concerns among residents in the area, despite orders by President Salva Kiir for cattle in the Equatoria region to be evacuated.