Community leaders in Lainya County call for peace between farmers and cattle herders due to escalating tensions over land and resources. Armed pastoralists threaten local agriculture, prompting discussions at a UNMISS grassroots engagement. Participants stress the need for government intervention to protect farming activities and support displaced communities. Leaders express hope that new county authorities can help mediate these conflicts.
Community leaders in Lainya County, South Sudan, are urging for peace between cattle herders and farmers during a grassroots engagement event hosted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). The region is known for its fertile land that supports substantial agriculture, with nearly half of households engaged in farming and livestock raising. However, armed pastoralists encroaching on these lands seeking grazing resources have escalated tensions, disrupting agricultural activities.
Local elder Thomas Ladu expressed concerns about the threats faced by farmers from armed herders in their own yards. He noted the destruction of crops, particularly cassava, caused by the herders, who have been harvesting from farms without permission. Ladu highlighted the government’s inadequate response in directing the herders back to their territories, leaving farmers feeling trapped and helpless.
The discussions at the UNMISS-hosted event centered on addressing these disputes while promoting reconciliation and peace. Roosevelt Gbamie Cooper, a Civil Affairs Officer with UNMISS, emphasized the importance of sharing knowledge on South Sudan’s political landscape and the key terms of the Revitalized Peace Agreement, particularly focusing on transitional justice and conflict resolution.
During the event, over 90 participants, including community leaders and representatives from different sectors, engaged in constructive dialogue about the ongoing violence and its impact on those displaced by prior conflicts. Recent returnee Taban Rufas described their struggles, stating that many are returning to their homes only to find them overrun by cattle, forcing them back into refugee camps.
Edward Taban, the Kupera Payam Director, condemned the unlawful occupation of agricultural land by the pastoralists migrating from Jonglei State and Terekeka County. He underscored the necessity for pastoralists to vacate civilian areas to allow farming activities to resume safely, expressing hope that the newly appointed County authorities will ultimately bring resolution to these challenges.
Urgent calls for peace in Lainya County, South Sudan, highlight growing conflicts between farmers and pastoralists stemming from resource competition. Local leaders stress the need for government intervention to resolve tensions and restore security for agricultural communities. The engagements at the UNMISS grassroots event reveal a significant concern for those displaced by conflict. There is optimism that newly appointed authorities could facilitate peaceful resolution and secure agricultural practices moving forward.
Original Source: www.zawya.com
