Authorities in Jubek and Jonglei say they will provide protection to cattle keepers in Aru Junction along the Nimule as they return to their home state.

On Thursday, a joint delegation of officials from the two states and the United Nations went to Aru Junction to assess the condition of the cattle keepers returning to Jonglei.

In January this year, the governors of the two states agreed that the pastoralists would return to their home state, after deadly clashes with local farmers.

The Security Advisor in Jubek, who is also the head of the joint delegation, Peter Jerkis, says during the visit, the cattle keepers raised concerns on insecurity on the way to Bor.

“There is a suggestion that they want to be escorted to their villages,” Mr Jerkis said.

For his part, the Jonglei State Advisor on Political Affairs, Dr Ago’ot Alier said the two states need to find better ways to repatriate the cattle camps to Jonglei state.

Dr Ago’ot says there is insecurity for the cattle-keepers along the way home.

“We shall raise this report to our governors and the national government institutions on how to provide protection to those people until they reach their villages peacefully,” Dr Alier stated.

The number of the cattle keepers returning home is yet to be confirmed.

Dr Alier said most of them left the state due to insecurity after the outbreak of the conflict.