PRESS RELEASE : Central Equatoria State Civil Society Network Demands Urgent Action Over Cattle Violence and Insecurity in Greater Yei

(JUBA) – The Central Equatoria State Civil Society Network (CESCSN) has called on county and state authorities to take immediate and coordinated action to address escalating cattle-related and communal violence across the Greater Yei region.

In a statement issued last week, the Network expressed deep concern over the continued loss of lives and destruction of property in several counties, including Yei, Morobo County, Lainya County, and Terekeka County.

Deadly Clashes Reported

The Network said it was troubled by the violent clashes in February 2026 in Lainya County, allegedly involving armed cattle herders from the Mundari and Bor communities. According to county authorities and media reports, at least 16 people were killed during the confrontations.

On 11 February 2026, inter-clan fighting between the Kogi and Yari sub-communities also resulted in significant casualties. By 19 February, at least 27 deaths had been reported.

Further violence was recorded in Garbu Village, Mangalla Payam, in Juba, where armed criminals reportedly attacked and destroyed farmlands, assaulted farmers, erected temporary shelters (rukubas), and displaced local populations.

Threat to Agriculture and Livelihoods

The civil society coalition warned that the ongoing insecurity is disrupting agricultural activities at the onset of the first farming season of 2026.

“We are cautious of forced food insecurity, hunger and starvation, unemployment and habitual poverty among farmers—especially the youth who are already venturing into commercial agriculture, yet their farms and crops are being destroyed in Yei and Lainya by armed cattle herders,” the statement partly reads.

The group stressed that the destruction of farms and displacement of communities could worsen food shortages and deepen poverty in an already vulnerable region.

Road Ambushes, Abductions, and Land Disputes

CESCSN also highlighted growing insecurity along the Yei–Kaya Road, citing frequent ambushes, looting, and the abduction of humanitarian workers, particularly in Yei and Morobo counties.

The Network further raised concerns about ongoing land disputes, including tensions at Romogi Trading Centre in Kajo Keji County involving the Karuk and Madi clans.

According to the statement, these overlapping security challenges have led to forced displacement, military tensions, and growing instability across Central Equatoria State.

Call for Coordinated Leadership

While acknowledging the state government’s stated priorities—peace and security stabilization, social cohesion, and economic recovery through agriculture—the Network urged authorities to act swiftly and decisively.

The coalition called on the leadership of Emmanuel Adil Anthony Wani, Governor of Central Equatoria State, with support from the national government, to ensure a speedy, coordinated, and sustainable resolution to the escalating violence.

The civil society body emphasized the urgent need to restore peace, rebuild trust among communities, and protect livelihoods in order to prevent further deterioration of security and humanitarian conditions across the state.