Tradditional chiefs from Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap establish court to settle dispute between farmers and herders. (Courtesy).

The governments of Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap states have established a joint mobile court to resolve disputes between farmers and cattle herders.

The court was set up in line with the resolutions of a previous peace conferences to address conflict related to the seasonal migration of Warrap pastoralists to the state.

Western Bahr el Ghazal governor, Sarah Cleto Rial said the court will also prosecute cross-border crimes such as killings, sexual and gender-based violence, and damaging and looting of property.

“This court is a product of previous conference talks that talk about the migration of shepherds, and everyone demanded the establishment of the court,” said Governor Cleto during the launch of the mobile court in Jur River County on Monday.

“We must enforce the law and not retaliate because the court and the law are able to resolve our differences This mobile court is very important because it will not only solve cases of theft of livestock and property, but also cases of sexual violence.”

The establishment of the mobile court was facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and other partners.

It is will be headed by Judge John Yel Aleu.

The Warrap Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement, William Deng Kur Aleu commended the UNMISS and partners efforts in resolving communal disputes and keeping the two states at peace.

“I am happy and I appreciated the partners, specially the UNMISS and other partners who supported this move. This is the crisis we are facing, particularly in our two states,” he said.

“I want us to continue with that spirit so that we bring the two states government together in order to keep the region peacefully.”