CES warns citizens against taking law into their own hands

Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony on Monday warned citizens against taking law into their own hands.

This warning came following conflict between farmers and cattle keepers in some parts of Central Equatoria State.

Dr. Andruga Mabe, Central Equatoria State Minister of Information and Communication said the governor has advised citizens to stop taking the law into their own hands.

“He (governor) advised all the citizens not to take the law in their own hands, the government is there and the government can’t be defeated in solving such problems like the issue of cattle herders,” Dr. Mabe told reporters during a press conference held in Juba on Monday.

Dr. Mabe cautioned communities against fighting each other.

“No community should fight the other community and no people of the same community should fight among themselves because the government under the leadership of President Salva Kiir is for peace,” he said.

Dr. Mabe urged the communities to embrace peace and harmony.

“We encourage all the citizens to work hard in building lasting peace and coexistence and harmony in the communities,” he said.

Cattle often destroy crops and farmers kill cattle threatening their harvests whenever herders move their animals in search of water and pasture.

Conflict erupted in January and March after the herders from Jonglei State arrived in Kajo Keji and Lainya to graze their cattle on lands used for farming.

The herders migrate seasonally in search of water and pasture in the fertile greater Equatoria region.

Displaced pastoralists armed with guns have been migrating onto lands occupied by farming communities stoking conflicts and threatening food supplies.