By Osuta Yusuf
Yumbe District— Refugees settling in Bolomoni Village, Otakua Parish, Odravu West Sub-county, Yumbe District, are gripped by fear following a deadly land conflict on Monday, August 19, 2024. The dispute between the Oluba Langi and Oluba Iyiba clans resulted in the deaths of three individuals who were shot with arrows.
The violent confrontation in Bolomoni Village saw attackers loot over 100 animals, including those belonging to the late Mr. Luka Akile Fendru, the landlord who generously offered land for the refugees’ settlement in 2016. Mr. Fendru was tragically killed in the conflict. The refugees, already vulnerable, also suffered losses as some of their animals were seized by the attackers.
Mr. Asiki Michael, the Refugee Welfare Council (RWC) Chairperson for Villages 8, 9, and 10 in Zone 4 of the refugee settlement, expressed deep regret over the incident. He reported that eight animals belonging to the refugee community were looted during the attack. Some refugees, who fled to Imvepi Refugee Settlement for safety, were later returned to Bolomoni by the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), according to Mr. Asiki.
Nyangoma Denis, a health worker at Bolomoni Health Centre III, also suffered losses during the conflict, reporting that four of his sheep were taken during the scuffle.
Mr. Bita John, a refugee from Village 9 in Zone 4, expressed his deep concern, noting that they fled South Sudan to escape war, only to find themselves facing similar violence in their new home in Yumbe District. He urgently appealed for government intervention to resolve the ongoing disputes among the host communities, so the refugees can live in peace rather than in constant fear.
The land conflict, which has led to the burning of houses, looting of animals, and the deaths of three people, remains unresolved. The concerned stakeholders have yet to find a lasting solution to the crisis.