Over 100 Cattle Raided in Yei River County

(YEI RIVER COUNTY ) – More than 100 heads of cattle were reportedly raided last week in several bomas of Yei River County by suspected Mundari cattle keepers, according to residents and community leaders.

The affected areas include Minyori Boma, Tokori Boma, Pisak Boma, Mapoko Boma, and Logo Boma.

Abel Sebit, Chief Executive of Minyori Boma, confirmed to Access Radio on Sunday that at least 27 cows were raided from Minyori, 18 from Logo Boma, and 60 from neighboring Pisak Boma.

“They started raiding from 13 miles before raiding in Minyori. In Pisak alone, 60 were taken, 18 were taken in Logo and 27 were raided from Minyori Boma. We shall report this issue to the county commissioner for follow up,” Sebit said.

Local civil society leaders have condemned the incident.

Modi Arkangelo, leader of the Yei Civil Society Forum, called on both state and national governments to intervene and investigate the matter.

“As civil society we condemn this act, and we call on the state and national governments to intervene and address this issue because cattle raiding is not being practiced in this part of Central Equatoria. The state government has recently passed resolutions to relocate cattle herders to their areas. Why is this issue happening? The people of Yei are still struggling for peace and want these cattle to be recovered and given to the rightful owners,” Arkangelo said.

Arkangelo further warned that the presence of armed cattle herders roaming villages around Yei County could heighten insecurity and negatively affect farming activities and peaceful coexistence between farmers and pastoralists.

Police authorities have yet to comment on the matter.

However, last week the Central Equatoria State Security Committee, in a meeting chaired by the State Deputy Governor Paulino Lokudu Obede, resolved and directed security agencies to peacefully coordinate the return of cattle pastoralists to their areas of origin.

The committee emphasized that the relocation process should be conducted peacefully and in accordance with state resolutions aimed at restoring security, protecting livelihoods, and promoting coexistence between farming and pastoralist communities.