Cattle raiding and killing pastoralists threatens peaceful coexistence in South Sudan
Deng Duot Bior-Barr is a South Sudanese PhD law student at the University of Dundee in Scotland, UK.
By Deng Duot Bior-Barr, Dundee, Scotland
Tuesday, 11 February 2025 (PW) — The peaceful coexistence of pastoralist communities in Jonglei and local farming communities in Equatoria, South Sudan, is paramount. The world’s youngest nation grapples with substantial obstacles to promoting harmony between nomadic groups from Jonglei State and agricultural communities in the Equatoria Region. Historically, rivalry over natural resources, particularly land and water, has triggered violent disputes, forced displacement, and economic hardships. The fundamental causes of these conflicts, the socioeconomic and cultural factors involved, and potential approaches to encouraging peaceful coexistence are crucial.
Establishing lasting peace requires all-encompassing dialogue, effective resource management, and intercultural understanding. This requires examining the effectiveness of traditional conflict-resolution methods, governmental policies, and community-driven initiatives.
Nevertheless, pastoralists from Jonglei State, primarily comprising Dinka and Nuer communities that depend on cattle herding for their livelihood, often undertake seasonal migrations to the Equatoria region, which boasts abundant fertile land and water resources. Their arrival frequently sparks tensions with local farming communities such as Bari Acholi and Mundari, whose survival hinges on agriculture.
Unverified evidence suggests that pastoralists’ search for water and grazing competition has led to violent clashes, displacement, and mutual distrust. However, it is imperative to uncover the root causes of these conflicts and explore government strategies to foster peaceful coexistence between pastoralists and farming communities so that these communities can stay in harmony.
Such approaches should prioritise and address resource competition, enhance governance, and promote cultural understanding to achieve sustainable peace. Pastoralist and farmer competition for resources should also be explored, particularly during droughts. As alleged, pastoralists from Jonglei frequently migrate to Equatoria in search of water and grazing land and often encroach on agricultural territories.
From the farmers’ perspective, this intrusion threatens their crops and livelihoods, triggering disputes over land usage. Pastoralists’ and farmers’ divergent cultural practices and economic systems have also led to misunderstandings and mistrust. For example, traditional Jonglei pastoralists suffered from cattle raiding, which is frequently perceived as a dangerous and destructive farming practice for farming communities in Equatoria. However, governance and resource management are inadequate for controlling security or applying the rule of law.
Nonetheless, the South Sudanese government has struggled to implement the Adequate Land Act of 2009, the Local Government Act, and resource administration policies. Hence, the absence of clearly defined boundaries and regulations exacerbates inter-community conflict. Civil unrest and intergroup violence have fostered lasting animosity and suspicion in communities. Previously, resource-related clashes in Mughalli fuelled a continuous cycle of vengeance and hostility; therefore, strategies for peaceful coexistence are necessary. For example, by enhancing traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms, community elders from pastoralists and farming groups can play crucial roles in conflict mediation and dialogue. Establishing practices and mechanisms, such as peace conferences and livestock restitution, can assist in settling disputes and rebuilding trust.
The government should work hard to promote inclusive dialogue and community engagement by creating platforms for discussion between nomadic herders and agriculturalists. Disputations should be resolved and mutual understanding cultivated. Grassroots initiatives, such as joint committees for resource management, can also encourage teamwork and collective decision-making. Focus on improving resource allocation with other international organisations that can support the development of well-defined land-use strategies and designated paths for livestock movement to reduce competition for resources. Investing in water infrastructure, such as wells and reservoirs, can provide alternative water sources for nomadic communities.
Encouraging intercultural understanding and promoting educational initiatives and cultural exchange programs can help reduce the divide between nomadic and farming societies. Highlighting shared values and interdependence can foster unity and collaboration. Strengthening the Governance and Legal Framework by prioritising the implementation of laws concerning land use, resource management, and conflict resolution. Local authorities should be empowered to arbitrate disputes and execute peacebuilding strategies.
Establishing and enhancing the rule of law and incorporating the role of traditional leaders in conflict resolution can lessen the current series of violent clashes between Dinka pastoralists and farmers in Equatoria, which has led to significant loss of life and displacement. This should not be seen as pastoral or Dinka. However, this is a serious issue. Traditional leaders from both communities should organise a peace conference at which they agree on the following measures: establishing designated grazing areas for pastoralists and compensation for damaged crops and properties. Meanwhile, the government should ensure a commitment to peaceful dialogue and cooperation.
Nonetheless, traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms should effectively address intercommunal tensions, challenges of harmonious coexistence, and weak institutional capacities. Conversely, the South Sudanese government lacks the resources and capacity to implement effective policies and enforce laws. Pastoralists from Jonglei and local communities in Equatoria must understand that climate change, environmental degradation, droughts, and desertification in Jonglei have increased pressure on pastoralists to migrate to Equatoria, exacerbating resource competition. Coexisting and resource sharing would be the only way forward. The proliferation of small arms has made conflicts more violent and difficult to resolve. Hence, political instability, ongoing political tensions, and national insecurity undermine efforts to build peace at the local level. Harmonious coexistence between nomadic groups in Jonglei and farming communities in Equatoria is crucial for South Sudan’s stability and progress.
Tackling the underlying causes of conflict, such as competition for resources and historical grievances, requires a multifaceted strategy that combines traditional dispute resolution methods, inclusive dialogue, and enhanced resource management. By nurturing an intercultural understanding and bolstering governance, South Sudan can establish a foundation for enduring peace and cooperation among these communities.
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