Lainya County Witnesses Wrangle over Land

JUBA – Land wrangles have ensued in Limbe Boma of Lainya County, Central Equatoria State just a few months after land wrangles in the same county erupted and cooled down.

The two clans of Metamerok and Muro are in contest of a land of their settlement.

These neighbouring clans have been living peacefully for years until of late when the Metamerok clan members decided to ask the members of Muro clan to quit the territory over allegations of being troublesome.

Speaking to The Citizen, one of the Chiefs from Muro clan, Yoel Lasu said that about 14 of his clan members whom he said have stayed in the territories of Metamerok clan for over 50 years are facing threats of being evicted.

He told the Citizen that they are not happy with a few of Metamerok clan members for taking a decision to evict some of their tribesmen and women after living there for years in harmony with them.

He added that his people have been asked to quit the land in about six months from now.

This came in the resolutions of a meeting conducted in the Boma and chaired by the Boma administrator Philipo Taban on Saturday as reported to the Citizen.

Lasu said that there have been threats of fighting from the Metamerok clan and that the conditions attached to the quitting are harsh. He added that they are not ready to fight.

Hakim Chrispo, one of the influential members from Muro clan who attended the meeting said that they have asked the few Muro clan members to quit over allegation that they have become troublesome of late.

He termed the incident as land grabbing but admitted that some people had been in their area for years though he said some of the members had accepted to move. Meanwhile the commissioner who claimed ignorance of the wrangle have condemned the move and said that it is illegal and that he does not advise on such steps if there are issues of concern compelling the move.

Despite the fact that such land is communally owned, he commissioner has said that it is not fair to send someone who has been there for years but promised to avail the Citizen with more information when he gets hold of the issue.

The Metamerok and Muro clans both belong to the Fajulu tribe, a Bari speaking group.