Herd of cattle seen in the photo moving in the Juba city - Credit: Eye Radio/Koang Pal Chang - Oct. 7, 2018

The Central Equatoria State Minister of Information says cattle herders who refuse to leave the state will be arrested as authorities renew a directive ordering herders and their animals to return to their places of origin.

Speaking to Juba Echo on Tuesday, Minister Patrick Nyarsuk said cattle herders must return peacefully to end recurring conflicts with farming communities.

“Anybody who refuses to go back to their place of origin peacefully, we will use law enforcement agencies. If you are arrested, you will be taken to the court of law. This is not a joking matter,” he said.

He warned that anyone who fails to comply with the order will be arrested and taken to court.

“It is a warning to all cattle herders within Central Equatoria State because their presence has contributed to intercommunal violence, loss of lives and destruction of crops. We are not chasing them away, but we want peace and stability,” he stressed.

Nyarsuk said the directive also applies to cattle herders and their animals from Terekeka County, who will be relocated to their areas of origin to help prevent further violence between cattle keepers and farmers.

“We don’t want the conflict and intercommunal violence between cattle herders and farmers to continue. That is why we are implementing the presidential order for cattle to return to their place of origin,” he stated.

He said a committee has been established to consult the Mundari community and address concerns raised by cattle herders, including improving access to water in Terekeka County.

“It does not mean they are not part of Central Equatoria State. They are, but we want to prevent more conflict and stop more lives from being lost. At the same time, the committee is working to address their concerns, including the need for water reservoirs in Terekeka County,” he added.

The state government says the relocation is in line with a Presidential order issued in 2015 directing pastoralists to return to their places of origin.

Conflicts involving pastoralists searching for pasture and water have repeatedly pitted cattle herders against farming communities in parts of the Equatoria region, resulting in deadly violence.