Armed Cattle Herders Threaten Farming in Lainya County

(LAINYA COUNTY) – Authorities in South Sudan’s Lainya County have raised alarm over the presence of armed cattle herders roaming in several villages and Payams, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to farming activities ahead of the upcoming planting season. Lainya County Commissioner, Robert Lasu, said multiple cattle camps from Terekeka and Bor Counties are currently moving from village to village in Kupera, Lokurubang, and Mukaya Payams. He noted that the armed herders have created insecurity and fear among local farming communities.

“Currently they are around Lokurubang Boma in Lainya Payam. We also have them in Mukaya Payam, while another group of Dinka Bor cattle keepers is in Wotoro of Wuji Boma in Kupera Payam,” Lasu said. “These groups have issues of cattle raiding, and the situation becomes difficult as civilians often become victims of crossfire.”

The commissioner explained that the county government is engaging the cattle herders in dialogue to ensure they leave the area peacefully before the rainy season begins.

“We really need to remove them from the jurisdiction of Lainya County because the longer they stay, the more conflicts we will face between cattle keepers and farmers,” he added. “The only way forward as a government is to evict them from the county.”

Lainya County lies within South Sudan’s green belt, an area known for fertile soil and favorable weather conditions that support agricultural production. Local authorities fear continued insecurity could disrupt farming activities and threaten food security in the area.