INFORMATION MINISTER MAKUEI CALLS FOR EVACUATION OF CATTLES FROM GREATER EQUATORIA

The national Minister for Information, Michael Makuei Lueth, has called on the herders rearing cattle in the Central Equatoria State to leave immediately so as to avoid conflict with farmers.

Speaking during the first anniversary of late Gen. Eng. Elijah Alier Ayom, at Medan-Simba football ground, Makuei said the freedom of movement in the constitution should not be taken for granted and be used as a basis for unnecessary settlement.

“We are responsible for the confusion that is happening in cattle camps here. When we say that you should evacuate your cattle, people say okay. In the evening, the same people go and give different information to herders. I don’t want cattle around here, “Makuei said.

He stressed that freedom of movement was existent, but the fact remains that each community owns land in the country and should make use of their land instead of prompting chaos with other communities.

“If we say these cattle should be evacuated, we are asked why should we take them back, and the constitution says there is or citizens to live anywhere they feel comfortable in South Sudan.

“Do not be misled by such statements. It is said that you can live anywhere, but each person should live in their land,” Makuei added.

He warned that whoever delayed in evacuating cattle would face the consequences of them being evacuated by the army, which he said might result in some cattle being eaten or rather taken, and that no one would complain again later if they fail to comply now.

“I say that you should vacate these cattle camps and evacuate your cattle early because if the army comes to remove the cattle for you, we don’t need to hear complaints because the army might be taking some cattle and [will] eat some for their survival as they do the work of evacuation for you,” he warned.

“If you need your cattle to be eaten, you stay, and if you do not need any, you move beforehand. This is what I want to tell you. These youths in cattle camps (in the Equatoria region) are the ones to protect the land from external aggressors, “Makuei stressed.

There had been several clashes between pastoralists from Jonglei State and those rearing cattle in the Eastern and Central Equatoria States.

Source: City Review SS ©

South Sudan Minister of Information Michael Makuei Lueth