A picture of cattle in Equatoria State. | Credit | Courtesy

Farmers in Aru Junction in Central Equatoria have called on the government to intervene in the influx of cattle keepers from neighboring states into the area.

The area, situated about 55 miles from Juba, connects the national capital to Magwi along the Nimule highway.

David Mayanja, one of the area farmers affected by the herders presence in the area.

Mayanja points out that  the pastoralists who arrived there four days ago have interfered with their farm lands.

He says the cattle keepers have turned their farmlands into a grazing field for their animals.

Mayanja told Eye Radio Friday morning the situation was disturbing.

“Our problem here as farmers at Aru Junction, are the cattle keepers. These days, we cannot even go to our farms because of cattle keepers. These cattle are destroying our farms. They have been here for four days now,” David said.

Tila Tila, a resident at Aru-junction, who witnessed the situation, called on the government to intervene.

“This problem of cattle being brought by vehicles is not good. Let the government look into it.” Tila Tila said.

In 2017, President Salva Kiir issued a decree ordering cattle keepers to move all their livestock out of the Greater Equatoria region.

But herders have continued to defy the order.