Kajo Keji Leaders Warn Over Forest Destruction

(LIWOLO, KAJO KEJI COUNTY) – The Commissioner of Kajo Keji County has held a high level consultative meeting with community stakeholders in Liwolo Payam, calling for an immediate stop to illegal logging and lumbering that are threatening forests and local livelihoods in the area.

The meeting on Wednesday brought together traditional chiefs, youth leaders, women representatives, religious leaders and local administrators. Discussions focused on rising concern over uncontrolled tree cutting, timber trafficking and charcoal production, which residents say are increasing across the Payam.

Participants warned that continued destruction of forests is speeding up soil erosion, reducing water sources and causing loss of wildlife. They said these changes are also weakening agriculture, which remains the main source of food and income for many families in Liwolo and across Kajo Keji County.

Addressing the meeting, the Commissioner of Kajo Keji County, Hon Wani Jackson Mule, said protecting natural resources is a shared duty that requires action from both authorities and communities. He urged residents to reject practices that damage the environment.

“Our forests are our life,” Hon Wani Jackson Mule said. “If we allow indiscriminate logging and lumbering to continue, we are destroying our own future. Development must be sustainable and lawful.”

The commissioner said illegal logging does not only harm the environment but also contributes to insecurity and denies future generations access to vital resources. He reminded participants that county regulations already ban unauthorised logging and commercial lumbering carried out with illegal permits.

Hon Wani Jackson Mule instructed Payam authorities to strengthen monitoring, work closely with community leaders and ensure that offenders are reported. He also encouraged cooperation with organised youth groups to promote alternative sources of income, including agroforestry, tree nurseries and responsible use of timber.

Community leaders from Liwolo Payam welcomed the engagement and pledged to support enforcement efforts. Several speakers proposed the introduction of local by laws at Boma level to guide tree cutting, support replanting and raise awareness on environmental conservation among residents.

One participant said community involvement would be key to success, noting that “people must understand that protecting the forest also protects their farms, water and children’s future.”

The meeting ended with an agreement to form a joint task force made up of county officials, traditional leaders and youth representatives. The group will oversee compliance with existing rules and lead reforestation activities in affected areas.

Stakeholders agreed that continued dialogue and strong community ownership are essential to protecting Liwolo forests and ensuring environmental resilience for the long term in Kajo Keji County and South Sudan as a whole.

Key concerns raised by participants