Sporadic gunfire in Magwi could worsen – UN warns
The persistent armed attacks by cattle keepers on residents of Magwi County in Eastern Equatoria is on the rise and could only get worse, the United Nations has warned.
This comes after 3,000 people were displaced from Chombor village in Agoro Boma to Magwi town after armed cattle herders attacked them, opened fire on youth bathing at a borehole, and then at the larger community.
It is one of the spates of attacks launched against farmers in Magwi County since the beginning of the month.
In a statement published Sunday, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) described the phenomenon as concerning.
“We are very concerned that these attacks might lead to greater conflict across the state,” Caroline Waudo, the Head of the UN Peacekeeping mission’s Field Office in Eastern Equatoria, told UNMISS official website.
“Therefore, we are making every effort to support local authorities to reduce tensions by holding peace dialogues and are preparing to send integrated patrols to deter any further violence,” she added.
Sources from Magwi County told The City Review that in some areas, residents were going back to refugee camps.
Eastern Equatoria State government Louis Lobong said cattle keepers purportedly from Jonglei State have defied instructions to graze on the designated areas.
“When we first saw the influx of cattle herders into our state, we understood that we have to make arrangements for them and designated land around Kidepo, Lafon and Lopit to enable animals to graze as well as herders to temporarily settle,” Lobong said.
“We understood that the floods had created a situation where we have to support neighbouring communities. However, even our own cattle herders don’t allow their animals to graze in Magwi because the residents there are primarily farmers. If their crop cycles are destroyed, Eastern Equatoria will face a massive shortage of food. Despite all our efforts, herders are reluctant to leave farmlands; this is what has led to a volatile situation,” he added.
Lobong described the residents of Magwi County as peace-loving people who only focus on farming and churn violence.
“Community members know that herders are often armed, and they are fearful. The population of Eastern Equatoria are peace-loving and don’t like guns,” Lobong said.
