The South-East Governors Forum has said the movement of cattle hrough the bush paths by foot into the geopolitical zone would no longer be tolerated.
This decision was reached to tackle the recurrent conflict between herdsmen and the residents of the zone (south-east)
A statement by the Director General, South-East Governors Forum, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, disclosed that it had reached an agreement with herdsmen living in the zone, adding that movement of cows into the zone should be strictly by road, using trucks to their specific cow markets and not through the bush.
In his words, “We will no longer allow foreign herdsmen to bring their cattle into our geopolitical zone through the bush paths by foot because this is what always cause conflict between our people and the herders.”
The forum dispelled the rumours that the governors had secretly donated land for Ruga settlements for herders, however noted that it will not chase away peaceful and law-abiding herdsmen who live in the zone.
“The fact remains that no South-East governor has donated any land or intends to donate any land for any of the two programmes for lack of enough land in the entire South-East.
“We will not chase away herdsmen who are peaceful and have been living peacefully with us in the South-East.”
The governor urged citizens of the zone to ignore threats made by some northeners regarding the safety of Southerners living in the north.
He added that the forum has been in contact with with northern governors and can assure of their safety.
Prof Ortuanya further called for peace and patriotism, he said “Finally, we advise those beating the drum of war to remember our mothers and children and have a rethink.
In a state of war, even your friends could become your enemies. Let us bond together as one people and start to think on how to rebuild our youths whose future we ate up in the time past, rebuild our nation whose patriotism we ignored in the time past and love one another
