Aweil mayor orders cattle out of Town to curb rising road accidents

AWEIL – Authorities in Aweil Municipal Council have issued a new directive ordering cattle owners to remove their animals from Aweil Town within two weeks, citing the increasing number of road accidents linked to stray cows.

Speaking to Sudans Post on Friday morning, the town mayor, Joseph Yaac Deng, said investigations into the recent surge in traffic incidents revealed that wandering cattle were a major contributing factor.

“We have seen that cows are contributing to the number of accidents being committed by riders. For this reason, we found it necessary to ensure that cattle are taken far away from the town. These are rules that cattle owners must observe,” Mayor Yaac stated.

The mayor explained that the presence of cows on busy roads poses serious risks to motorists, particularly motorcycle riders who often drive at high speeds.

“I even have cows, but I don’t keep them in town because of the heavy traffic. When you allow cows to wander on main roads, accidents can easily happen. If a cow lies on the road, and a rider comes at high speed, it can result in a serious crash,” he warned.

Yaac said any cattle owner who fails to comply with the new order will face fines, although he did not disclose the specific penalties that will be imposed. He emphasized that the municipal authorities will closely monitor compliance.

“We are going to keep an eye on this order to ensure that everyone follows it,” he said, adding that residents have been given a two-week grace period to move their cattle.

However, the mayor clarified that certain domestic animals, such as donkeys used for transporting goods and water within town limits, are exempted from the directive. He urged residents to handle those animals responsibly to prevent them from obstructing roads or causing accidents.

The latest order echoes previous efforts by past municipal administrations that have repeatedly urged residents to stop keeping cows within the town. Despite these warnings, some residents continue to keep cattle for daily milk production and income.