Tore Payam: Why Ambororo Presence Draws Attention
The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Yei, Rt. Rev. Levi Marandulu Yepete, says the continued presence of Ambororo cattle herders in Tore Payam, Yei River County, is creating serious concerns for local residents in Central Equatoria State.
Community worries have grown since foreign herders with large cattle herds arrived in the area about three years ago. Local residents, described as mainly crop farmers, say they fear for their livelihoods and for overall security in the payam.
Central Equatoria Farming and Beekeeping Under Pressure
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Bishop Marandulu linked the tensions to the scale of livestock moving through Tore Payam. He said the herds are affecting cultivation and putting pressure on the local environment (Radio Tamazuj).
“The presence of ambororo in Yei River County, particularly in Tore Payam, is a threat to our community in so many ways,” Bishop Marandulu said, arguing that farms are being damaged and that the environment is becoming harder to manage for agriculture (Radio Tamazuj).
The bishop also highlighted beekeeping, a key livelihood in the area. He said cattle have destroyed beehives, limiting honey harvesting and adding to uncertainty for families that depend on farming and beekeeping for income and food security (Radio Tamazuj).
Security Concerns Raised by Church Leaders in Yei
Bishop Marandulu further alleged that some herders are armed and that this intimidates traders and travelers. He claimed people risk being attacked while moving in bush areas around trade and livestock transactions (Radio Tamazuj).
“These people (Ambororo) are also armed, and they scare traders,” he said, adding an allegation that some are shot without warning in the bush (Radio Tamazuj).
He said a man identified as Elias Lomut was killed on 18 December 2025, and he also cited a separate incident on 8 January in which he said another person escaped after being shot at (Radio Tamazuj).
Local Youth Coordination Office Calls for Peaceful Exit
Christopher Taharir, information secretary of the Tore Payam Youth Coordination Office in Yei, echoed concerns about environmental damage. He said streams, farms and beehives are being affected, which he linked to broader degradation of local natural resources (Radio Tamazuj).
“The issue of the Ambororo is indeed becoming a threat in our land,” Taharir said, adding that Tore Payam’s resources, including honey and water bodies, support socio-economic activities and community sustainability, and are “not for grazing” (Radio Tamazuj).
Taharir said earlier efforts by state and county authorities to ask the herders to leave had not succeeded. He called for a peaceful departure to avoid further harm and keep community relations calm (Radio Tamazuj).
Government Engagement Urged as Officials Remain Unreached
Bishop Marandulu called on county, state and national authorities to request that the Ambororo herders leave the area. Taharir similarly appealed for a peaceful solution shaped by official action and local priorities (Radio Tamazuj).
Efforts to reach the county commissioner for comment were unsuccessful, leaving the public with only the accounts offered by community representatives and local leaders interviewed by the outlet (Radio Tamazuj).