Senior S. Sudan official warns against ignoring cattle tensions
February 25, 2015 (WAU) – A former governor of Western Bahr el Ghazal state and senior ember of South Sudan’s ruling party (SPLM) has warned the government against ignoring grievances between farmers and cattle keepers across the country.
General Mark Nyipuoch Ubuong, who currently serves as deputy speaker in the national assembly, made the comments on Wednesday while addressing senior SPLM officials in Western Bahr el Ghazal state party’s secretariat following his arrival from the capital, Juba.
“There is a high tension across the country between cattle keepers and agricultural farmers,” he said, referring to the current situation involving pastoralists in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.
He said the tensions stemmed largely from the destruction of crops due to the unrestricted movements of cattle, warning the issue should not be under estimated.
“This is a national issue that needs to be addressed as both producers are [the] economic backbone of South Sudan,” Ubuong said.
“We have [to] understand that both cattle and crops are useful for our economic [development], [and] therefore there is a need to undertake necessary solutions to the problems facing our own people,” he added.
Ubuong has accused cattle owners of violating a 2013 agreement which stipulates that cattle keepers are only free to move with their animals after the harvest period.
Under the terms of the agreement, pastoralists are also prohibited from carrying fire arms while grazing their cattle in farming areas.
Ubuong urged cattle keepers to respect the rights of farmers and avoid violating their territories during the harvest season.
Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states have held several meetings in a bid to address such problems, these including the November 2013 Bushere Boma farmers conference on farming issues.
However, both parties have failed to reach a compromise on the major sticking point.
Local chiefs from Western Bahr el Ghazal state reject the seasonal migration of herders into their areas in January, while pastoralists insist that January is the preferred period for moving cattle.
(ST)