Lakes and Unity states join hands to fight cattle rustling

June 28, 2012 (RUMBEK) – The three border state commissioners of Lakes and Unity state held a joint security meeting on Tuesday to tackle cattle raiding activities in their neighbouring counties.

The meeting was attended by commissioners of Rumbek Central County’s Abraham Mayen Kuc and Rumbek North County’s Mathiang Deng Monydit, both of which are in Lakes state; and Panijar County’s Peter Gai, which is in Unity state.

They said that cattle rustlers must be dealt with according to the law and that all looted cattle must be returned to their respective owners. They also agreed to form a joint border patrol.

Last year the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) raised the alarm over the escalating violence in South Sudan caused by cattle rustling. The issue is seen by UNMISS as a “serious crisis” threatening the political stability in the newly independent state.

Panijar county commissioner Gai said that the aim of his visit was to introduce himself to the Lakes state’s newly appointed commissioners and to protect his community from cattle raiders.

He called upon all communities to immediately stop cattle raiding, announcing that his county authorities have so far arrested 14 suspected for cattle raiders in Unity state.

The commissioner of Rumbek central County Abraham Mayen Kuc said that “they will work for the betterment of the community to see that communities are stable in their respective places”.

Mayen affirmed that he will work closely with his counterpart from Panijar to bring stability to the states.

Mathiang Deng Monydit, the commissioner of Rumbek North County assured his counterpart that all those suspected of cattle rustling in his county will be arrested and brought to justice.

(ST)