Cattle’s raiding is the primitive act that must be shunned

Cattle’s raiding is the primitive act that must be shunned 

By: Abraham Daljang Maker

KAMPALA: It is my duty as a citizen to always point out something which I think is not very good for the progress of the country. One of the things that hurt me every day is cattle’s raiding which is being practiced by the cattle keepers in South Sudan.

Cattle keepers in Unity state and Lakes state are leading a cat and a dog relationship daily. It is hard to know who should be blamed because the two are in a constant practice of this vice of cattle rustling. It is high time people realized that the world is advancing with new things, but our fellows in these two places seem to be still behind the clock.

There have been series of accusations between the two sister states about cattle raiding, notably between Rumbek center and the neighboring towns of Unity state. Lives have been lost in such incidences where each group takes revenge when there is alleged raid by the other. However, the authorities in these two places appear to be giving a deaf ear to such occurrences.

As I was reading the news on Sudan tribune on April 4 2013, my eyes rested on the article with heading, “Unity State condemns women Abduction.” I went through the story with alacrity thinking that Maybe there could be new rebel movement that has entered the other part of the country, only to find out that it was a neighboring lakes state which is alleged to have abducted women. This makes my heart aches, how dare these people do such a barbaric act? Why is it that women are always the victims of circumstances which are not known to them? Why can’t authorities of these two states act promptly to curb this evil practice? Reading further through the story, I realized that these women were said to have been gathering food for their families, most women in south Sudan are actively engaged in triple roles of Production (for food) Reproduction (giving birth) and other community activities but our fellow men are very heartless to the extent of disturbing them.

These cattle camp youths of Lakes State and Unity state should know that there are other nations where cattle are being kept but they don’t practice raiding at all. Take an Example of the neighboring Uganda, there are a lot of cattle in Western part but you hardly hear any hint of raiding, instead they are the main suppliers of animals’ products like milk and meat to the Uganda market and even to South Sudan. It is very good to borrow a leaf from these people and build on it rather than always butchering each other for no good reason. 

People of Lakes and Unity states share very many values in common and I see no reason why they should keep on practicing these backward things at this time when we all need to progress and join the other states which are advancing in development. These cows which people fight over will always remain grazing their grass while you keep on killing each other, these animals have enslaved you, and did you know that?

 Honestly, how can you abduct your mother, your sister, your mother-in-law? What will you say tomorrow if you happen to admire and want to marry the daughter of a woman you once abducted?  Men must respect women because they are mothers and creators; these innocent people (women) have nothing to do with your crazy act of raiding each other. Their duty is only to search for food and sets it on your table; so why should you bite the hands that feed you? 

My advice is that, elders of these two states should sit down and talk to their youths in order to eschew this activity so that peace can prevail and reign eternally. In the same way the governments of these two states should also play their parts by deploying join forces at the hot points. If these women are really taken by the alleged groups, then a quick action must be taken so that these innocent women are taken back to their families and stern action against the culprits should be taken. As the article reads that these women were collecting food for their starving families, I can imagine the pain their loved ones are going through. 

I would also suggest that the youth’s bodies like Rumbek youth union or Lakes State youth Union together with youths of the Unity state to create a project that discourages cattle raiding and preach peace and harmony among the citizens of these states. They should actually organize a join conference which I would propose to be called “LAKES AND UNITY STATES YOUTHS FORUM AGAINST CATTLE RAIDING.” In doing this, the people who are involve in cattle rustling will be able to see that peace is attractive and they will get convince. Unity and Lakes, you must stop this practice and learn from other states. Move forwards and not back ward. May peace prevail in that land? Amen!

The writer holds bachelor degree in journalism from Nkumba University Entebbe Uganda. He is currently pursuing Master of Arts in development studies in the same university.

He can be reached on +256774587529, or abraham12daljang@yahoo.com