MPs demand investigation into killing of five people in Lainya County

Members of the national parliamentary caucus of Lainya County of Central Equatoria State have called for immediate investigation into the recent killing of five civilians by suspected cattle herders.

Dusman Joyce James, a lawmaker representing Lainya County at the national parliament condemned the attack on Saturday last week that occurred at Limuro trading center leaving nine people injured.

 “We demand the arrest of those behind the brutal murder of victims and the subsequent speedy trial in a competent court of law,”  James told journalists during press conference held in Juba on Monday.

Suspected cattle herders from Bor went on a shooting spree at Limuro trading center in Wuji Payam of Lainya County, killing five people including the head teacher of Limuro Primary School.

The herders were ordered by the Central Equatoria State authorities to vacate the region following the killing of more than 20 civilians in early February in Kajo Keji County.

James called on authorities to speed up the evacuation of cattle herders from Lainya County.

“We demand the immediate removal of all armed cattle herders from territories of Lainya County in particular and Central Equatoria in general,” she said.

James also appealed to state authorities to make the outcome of the investigation public for accountability.

“We demand an immediate and full investigation on these incidences of killing and the outcome should be made public,” she said.

Khamis Kwaje, a lawmaker representing Lainya County in Central Equatoria State Assembly, said the presence of illicit firearms in the hands of unauthorized herders has fuelled conflict in the area.

“The army needs to mitigate the unnecessary movement of weapons and that is apparently the reason that they (herders) can’t adhere to orders given by the President and Governor of Central Equatoria State,” Kwaje said.

David Meta Zachariah, Chairman of Wuji Payam Community in Lainya County, said some 300 households have been displaced due to the violence meted out on locals by cattle herders.

He said the number of people fleeing insecurity could increase going forward because of insecurity in Wuji Payam.