Attempts to end cattle raids dashes, but with little hopes at Mankien conference!

Attempts to end cattle raids dashes, but with little hopes at Mankien conference!

Mankein, Bentiu, Turalel, MP 18 June 2019

A two days conference to end cattle raids in Nothern Liech, Twic and Gogrial states have concluded at Mankein last week with little chances for the return of peace and tranquillity in the area.

The conference which was organised and facilitated by UNMISS brought together Joseph Manytuil Governor of Northern Liech State, Atem Madut of Twic State and Victor Atem Atem of Gogrial State.  

The three governors, however, discussed in length the friction caused by the cattle wrestling in the area, mainly the last crisis at Turalel and Mayom payams which led to the loss of many lives and displacement of several others.

The conference concluded that the Kwajok resolutions which were agreed upon last year should now be implemented. Among others, it says that all the governors have agreed to cooperate to exchange intelligence across the borders to recover the stolen animals.

To safeguard and prevent similar conflict from happening; all sides have agreed to deploy armed forces along with the border areas and buffer zones.

Already, Governor Joseph Manytuil of Northern Liech State took the initiative to identify a number of cattle and handed them over to the owners. He asked his colleagues also to do the same within a specified period.  

It’s worth mentioning that cattle raids have been one of the major causes of conflicts in most areas across South Sudan. Government has done very little to deter or stop cattle wrestling.

MP