IDPS fleeing violent Tali herders shelter under mango trees in Lakamadi|Photo courtesy

Community leader and politician Juma Ali Malou has called on Mundari herders to denounce violence as a suspect involved in the killing of two herders in Lakamadi of Mundri East County, Western Equatoria State last week has been arrested.

Former governor of defunct Terekeka State Juma Malou and Muru leader, Lawrence Kor bany as well as chiefs from the two communities met in Juba on Saturday to address the matter.

Speaking on the state-run SSBC TV on Saturday, Mr. Malou appealed to the Mundari herders to stop attacking the Muru community as the culprit involved in the murder of their mates has been apprehended.

Ali described the killing as an isolated incident.

“I’m appealing to my people of Mundari starting from Terekeka, Mondi, Tombe, and Central Mundari up to Tindilo and Tali to stop, what happened is just an isolated incident that can happen anytime.

“The good news is that the culprit has been apprehended, security authorities in Mundri East have done their job and apprehended the culprit who committed the crime and is now in custody.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Lowrance Korbandi who is the leader of the Muru community said the isolated incident should not be used to bring more crisis between the communities.

He reminded the communities of the historical peaceful coexistence between the neighboring tribesmen who have lived together for quite a long time.

“The people of Tali and the area of Lakamadi have stayed together  for a long time in history and that is where Muru came to have its language and Mundari got their language,

“But they stayed together, married each other, lived together, ate and drank together hunted together, and even grazed together,”  he said, adding “An isolated incident like this should not be used to the path that can bring us more crises.”