DOCSLIB.ORG

Hunger for Cattle Is Killing

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Hunger for Cattle Is Killing Hunger for Cattle is Killing Case study of conflicts along migration routes in Jonglei state, South Sudan January 2012 Janneke Vreugdenhil Wageningen University Cover picture: June 2011, Kuerluot boma, Uror county, Jonglei state For the title I have been inspired by the answer of a respondent to the question if there is a solution to cattle raiding: ‘There is no solution, people are hungry for cattle’ (D-14). Hunger for Cattle is Killing Case study of conflicts along migration routes in Jonglei state, South Sudan Master thesis for the chair group Disaster Studies, submitted in fulfilment of the degree of Master of Science in International Development Studies at Wageningen University, The Netherlands Course code: RDS-80733 Wageningen University and Research Centre January 2012 Janneke Vreugdenhil Student no: 801113910090 Supervisors: Dr. ir. G. van der Haar Chair group: Disaster Studies Dr. ir. M. Zwarteveen Chair group: Irrigation and Water Management/Gender Studies Hunger for Cattle is Killing - Summary Summary The Lutheran World Federation is active in Duk and Twic East county in Jonglei state, South Sudan and was planning to extend their projects to another county, Uror. Before doing so a baseline survey had to provide more information about the conflicts that are taking place in Jonglei state. As the people inhabiting Jonglei state are pastoralists, their lives are built around the cattle. In the dry season the people from Uror, the Nuer, migrate to the Nile in Dinkaland where there is enough water and pasture for their cattle. Conflicts involving cattle, cattle raiding, is an integral part of their society but seems to take place a lot more when this seasonal migration takes place. For centuries cattle raiding is used to restock the herds, all within certain cultural rules and codes designed by elders and chiefs. However, the conflicts seem to increase and change in nature, more deaths, more intense, more cattle taken at once, use of automatic weapons etc. It has been argued by LWF that resource scarcity might play a role in the conflicts along themigration routes and LWF expects water provision to prevent the Nuer from migrating through Dinkaland and thereby decreasing the conflict between the Dinka and Nuer. This thesis intends to look beyond the resource scarcity theory as an explanation, but in stead tries to construct the political ecology of the conflicts along the migration routes. This research has been based on the following research question: ‘How can cattle raiding (along the migration routes) in Twic East, Duk and Uror county be explained with reference to ecological, political, economic and social factors and to what extent does the availability of water play a role in a possible solution?’ This research showed that resource scarcity does not play a role in the conflicts along the migration routes as there is enough water and pasture available for all cattle to be satisfied. The lack of water and pasture does force people from Uror to migrate to Duk, so indirectly climate conditions do play a role, but not the scarcity of water and pastures as such. Also population pressure or climate change do not seem to be features in the occurrence of cattle raiding. In the beginning it has been assumed that the Dinka and the Nuer are the main actors in the conflicts. However, during the field work it turned out that there are in fact two conflicts affecting Jonglei state: between the Dinka and Nuer (which is related to the migration routes) and the one between the Murle and the rest of Jonglei state. The Murle are a tribe from Pibor county and known for their fearless raiding. In addition to cattle they do abduct children. The tensions between the Dinka and the Nuer have mainly been influenced by the Bor massacre that took place in 1991 when many Nuer killed over 2000 Dinka at Bor. This event changed the relation between the Dinka and Nuer in a seemingly irreparable way. The continuing clashes between the Dinka and Nuer during the seasonal migration are a result of this massacre. The conflicts between the Murle and the rest of Jonglei state does not have such a clear beginning or reason. The North- South conflict played a role as the Murle received support from the GOS and did not join the SPLA at this time which does not make them very popular. Respondents argued that it is greed that makes the Murle raid as the Murle do not have to migrate in search for water and pasture for their cattle. The North-South conflict did not only cause a divide between the Murle and the rest of Jonglei, it also caused the proliferation of automatic weapons which contributed to the intensification of cattle raiding. The availability of weapons does not only make the practice of cattle raiding more lethal, it also diminishes the respect for the elders and chiefs. As a result the traditional peace making deals are not capable of solving the cattle raiding conflicts; the scope is too big and the conflicts end up in cycles of revenge. In addition to that, the North-South conflict caused poverty and destitution which made people resort to raiding. The disarmament policies do not bring the relief they should as not all counties are being disarmed at the same time which renders some counties more vulnerable towards v Hunger for Cattle is Killing - Summary attacks from others. These disarmament policies are expected to be influenced at the political level in Juba and Bor. Cattle raiding is not an apolitical act as respondents argued that politics do play a role as well. Some people feel the struggles for leadership in Juba and Bor are trickling down to the rural areas and hereby influencing the local situation. Cattle are very important in the pastoralist societies in Jonglei state, and the most important role of the cattle is to serve as the bride price. The bride price has to be paid by the family of the man to the family of the woman and hereby validating the marriage. One’s status in the community is determined by the amount of cattle and therefore indirectly also by the number of wives one has. Marriage and producing children are a central part in Dinka and Nuer society as becomes clear from the rules and regulations concerning marriage and producing. Bride prices are increasing for several reasons and the herds are diminishing as a result of the cattle raiding, which puts pressure on the need for cattle as people continue to get married. Somehow there is a link between the need for cattle in order to meet the bride price and the occurrence of cattle raiding, however very few respondents confirmed this link. Of course the cultural practice of bride price as such is not causing the conflicts, but it creates a need for cattle. And this need combined with the availability of automatic weapons, unequal disarmament policies and the diminishing respect for the elders seems to make the practice of bride price rather dangerous. Many solutions have been mentioned of which equal disarmament has been the one mentioned the most. Interestingly the respondents only expect the government to solve the problems of cattle raiding; they do not seem to see a role for themselves. Apart from disarmament, peaceful dialogues and the provision of water have been mentioned. Water provision would decrease the seasonal migration and hereby decreasing the clashes between the Dinka and Nuer. In addition, when people can stay at their communities, they will be able to defend themselves against the Murle. However, not all respondents think the provision of water is promising. Jonglei state should also be developed and alternatives should be provided in terms of eduction and jobs, especially for the youth as they are prone to fighting. It is worth mentioning that as a result of the report of the base-line survey for LWF, activities have been started in Uror county. Peace committees are being formed and trained and LWF looks into the possibilities of providing water in Uror county. In addition, possibilities for education are investigated further. vi Hunger for Cattle is Killing – Acknowledgements Acknowledgements First of all I am very grateful to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) in South Sudan for having me on board for a couple of months and especially to Arie den Toom for entrusting me with an assignment for a base line study. This enabled me to gather the data necessary for my thesis. The support of Mary Obara from the head office in Juba has been very valuable. Special thanks to Mokili Elias Justin who accompanied me during the research. We have been in quite funny and also quite stressful situations and without having him, his humour and his capability to put things into perspective, it would have been rather unbearable, nor would we have had a proper security plan in Uror county. Matthew Masai and Julius Kibet felt very responsible and took good care of me while being in the field. For most of the transport I was entrusted to the skills of Mark Kok and Thuc Ayiik. They made sure the long trips were never boring as they shared their stories and ideas. Unfortunately I just missed Koks wedding, which was extra unfortunate as marriage turned out to play a special role in this thesis. Manyok Ajangdit and Mary Abuk Dau have been, apart from assisting preparing the fieldtrips, a great source of information. Our stay and introduction to the communities in Uror county have been made possible by the enthusiastic Bill Gai Goal. Pastor Moses of the Presbyterian Church in Yuai has been so kind to provide us with a place to stay.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Interaction Between International Aid and South Sudanese
    Lost in Translation: The interaction between international humanitarian aid and South Sudanese accountability systems September 2020 This research was conducted by the Conflict Sensitivity Resource Facility (CSRF) in August and September 2019 and was funded by the UK, Swiss, Dutch and Canadian donor missions in South Sudan. The CSRF is implemented by a consortium of the NGOs Saferworld and swisspeace. It is intended to support conflict-sensitive aid programming in South Sudan. This research would not have been possible without the South Sudanese and international aid actors who generously gave their time and insights. It is dedicated to the South Sudanese aid workers who tirelessly balance their personal and professional cultures to deliver assistance to those who need it. Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ 1 Recommendations ............................................................................................................................................. 2 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Background ........................................................................................................................................................ 4 Methodology and limitations ...........................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Black Christs of the Black Christs of by J. Penn De
    The Black Christs of Africa A Bible of Poems By J. Penn de Ngong Above all, I am not concerned with Poetry. My subject is War, and the pity of War. The Poetry is in the pity. Wilfred Owen, British Poet Poem 22 petition for partition We, the auto-government of the Republic of Ruralia, Voicing the will of the democratic public of Ruralia, Are writing to your Theocratic Union of Urbania. Our grievances are on the following discontentment: Firstly, your purely autocratic Government of Urbania, Has solely dishonoured and condemned the document That we all signed – and codenamed – “Bible of Peace”. You’ve violated its gospel, the cause of our fatal disagreement; Wealth: You’re feeding our autonomous nation with ration apiece. In your annual tour, compare our city – Metropollutant – of Ruralia With its posh sister city of Urbania, proudly dubbed Metropolitania. All our resources, on our watching, are consumed up in Urbania. Our intellectuals and workforce are abundant but redundant. Henceforth, right here, we demarcate to be independent! You are busy strategizing to turn Ruralia into Somalia: Yourselves landlords, creating warlords, tribal militia, And bribing our politicians to speak out your voice, And turning our villages into large ghettos of slum, And our own towns into large cities of Islam. With these experiences, we’ve no choice, But t’ ask, demand, fight... for our voice. They oft’ say the end justifies the means, We, Ruralians, must reform all our ruins; The first option: thru the ballot, Last action: bullet! J. Penn de Ngong (John Ngong Alwong Alith as known in his family) came into this world on a day nobody knows.
    [Show full text]
  • South Sudan Village Assessment Survey
    IOM DISPLACEMENT TRACKING MATRIX VILLAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SOUTH SUD AN IOM DISPLACEMENT TRACKING MATRIX SOUTH SUDAN SOUTH SUDAN VILLAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY DATA COLLECTION: August-November 2019 COUNTIES: Bor South, Rubkona, Wau THEMATIC AREAS: Shelter and Land Ownership, Access and Communications, Livelihoods, Markets, Food Security and Coping Strategies, Health, WASH, Education, Protection 1 IOM DISPLACEMENT TRACKING MATRIX VILLAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SOUTH SUD AN CONTENTS RUBKONA COUNTY OVERVIEW 15 DISPLACEMENT DYNAMICS 15 RETURN PATTERNS 15 PAYAM CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION 16 KEY FINDINGS 17 Shelter and Land Ownership 17 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 Access and Communications 17 LIST OF ACRONYMS 3 Markets, Food Security and Coping Strategies 17 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 4 Livelihoods 18 BACKROUND 6 Health 19 WASH 19 METHODOLOGY 6 Education 20 LIMITATIONS 7 Protection 20 WAU COUNTY OVERVIEW 8 BOR SOUTH COUNTY OVERVIEW 21 DISPLACEMENT DYNAMICS 8 RETURN PATTERNS 8 DISPLACEMENT DYNAMICS 21 PAYAM CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION 9 RETURN PATTERNS 21 KEY FINDINGS 10 PAYAM CONTEXTUAL INFORMATION 22 KEY FINDINGS 23 Shelter and Land Ownership 10 Access and Communications 10 Shelter and Land Ownership 23 Markets, Food Security and Coping Strategies 10 Access and Communications 23 Livelihoods 11 Markets, Food Security and Coping Strategies 23 Health 12 Livelihoods 24 WASH 13 Health 25 Protection 13 Education 26 Education 14 WASH 27 Protection 27 2 3 IOM DISPLACEMENT TRACKING MATRIX VILLAGE ASSESSMENT SURVEY SOUTH SUD AN LIST OF ACRONYMS AIDS: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
    [Show full text]
  • Initial Rapid Needs Assessment on Flood Disaster in Twic East County, Jonglei State
    Coordinated Flood Disaster Assessment in the Former Twic East County Initial Rapid Needs Assessment On flood Disaster in Twic East County, Jonglei State July, 2019 Page 1 of 12 Coordinated Flood Disaster Assessment in the Former Twic East County Situation Overview Former Twic East County of Jonglei state composed of five Map Payams: Ajuong, Kongor, Lith, Nyuak, and Pakeer. According to the Fifth Population and Housing Census conducted in April 2008, Twic East County had a combined population of 8,5349 people, composed of 4,4039 males and 4,1310 female residents with 14326 Household (HHs) In the month of June 2019, there was a flooding in the former Twic East County which has affected all the five Payams. Nyuak, Kongor and Lith Payams were highly affected while Pakeer and Ajuong Payam were partly flooded. The flooding was caused by erratic and heavy rainfall which happened in the month of June 2019. For the last three years, there has been Twic East County heavy rainfall that causes flooding. The natural land scape of Twic East does not allow free water movement to downstream Affected population: 1547 HHS, total of 8722 people has and the water accumulation has increased in villages, especially been affected. Refer Annex 1 for in agricultural and grazing/pasture land. details. As rainy season is currently on its peak, flooding is expected to Displaced population: increase which might aggravate the situation before impact of Over 1000 HHS have been displaced.) the current flood is tackled and water level goes down. In addition, the rain condition in upper basin of Nile (from Central Key Priorities equatorial and Uganda) is expected to increase the river water Urgent seed vegetable seeds level and water level in swampy area (Sudd part of Twic East), supply for fresh food which will in turn causes breakage of primary dyke (which has production already some weak points) and add more crises in the county.
    [Show full text]
  • Heading with Word in Woodblock
    Gambella Region Area Brief Regional Overview Gambella Peoples' region is one of the nine regional states of Ethiopia. This region is located at the western edge of the country bordering South Sudan. The capital of the region, Gambella, is 766km from Addis Ababa. This region has an estimated density of 10 people per square kilometre. The main ethnicities of the region are the Nuer (46.66%), the Anuak 21.16%), Amhara (8.42%), Kafficho (5.04%), Oromo (4.83%), Mezhenger (4%), Shakacho (2.27%), Kambata (1.44%), Tigrean (1.32%) and other ethnic groups predominantly from southern Ethiopia 4.86%. Children below the age of 18 years accounts for 66.5% (27,974) of the refugee population. Female (women and girls) significantly outnumber male (adult & young men) due to the fact that sizable number of adult and young men died during the 21 years of liberation struggle. Currently there are three refugee camps in Gambella region namely Pugnido, Leite Chore and Okugo which host about 68,000 refugees from South Sudan. Pugnido, 876 kilometres from Addis Ababa to the south west is the oldest refugee camp, which is hosting 42,044 refugees and has existed since 1992 while Okugo, which hosts 5,927 refugees, was established in mid 2013 following interethnic clash between Nuer and Murle people. Leite Chore refugee camp, which is under establishment, will host 20,000 South Sudanese asylum seekers displaced from their homeland due to the countrywide deadly armed conflict that erupted in December, 2013 between the supporters of President Salva Kir and the former vice president Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Child Protection Needs Assessment
    JOINT PARTNERS’ CHILD PROTECTION RAPID NEEDS ASSESSMENT - 2020 JONGLEI STATE - SOUTH SUDAN 1 Table of Contents ACRONMY ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 EXCUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................................................... 4 Background and Rationale for the Child Protection Assessment ................................................................. 6 Zonal Sub Custer Partners who participated in the Rapid Assessment .................................................... 7 Assessment Methodology ............................................................................................................................. 8 Key findings from the analysis of Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). ............................................................ 10 Key Child Protection Risks in Jonglei ....................................................................................................... 10 Case Study 1: A girl with Disability in Suk Zero IDP Site .......................................................................... 15 Case study 2: A mother who delivered a baby in SUK ZERO IDP Site ..................................................... 16 Summary of FGD findings for Bor South ..................................................................................................... 16 Summary of FGD findings for Akobo..........................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • 1 South Sudan 2016 Common
    SOUTH SUDAN 2016 COMMON HUMANITARIAN FUND: FIRST ROUND STANDARD ALLOCATION RECOMMENDED PROJECTS FOR FUNDING TOTAL AMOUNT: USD 4,747,751.41 1 NAMES OF INGOs and NGOs FUNDED Organization Project title Duration Budget Location Beneficiaries CCM (Comitato Improve the 6 months $199,562.52 Lakes -> Awerial 69248 Collaborazione quality of Medica) essential health service delivery (safety nets) and strengthen the emergency response to the humanitarian needs, including obstetric services and supportive care to GBV victims in Mingkamann and underserved area of selected counties of Lakes. CMA (Christian Strengthening 6 months $199,999.91 Jonglei -> Fangak 96196 Mission Aid) the capacity of primary health care facilities to deliver life saving emergency health services integrated with nutrition services in Fangak county of Jonglei State 2 CUAMM Improving host 6 months $276,978.21 Western Equatoria - 45375 (Collegio and displaced > Mundri East Universitario population and Aspirante e other Medici vulnerable Missionari) groups’ access to and utilization of quality essential and emergency health services in Mundri East County (Western Equatoria State) GOAL (GOAL) Provision of 6 months $300,000.00 Warrap -> Twic; 64782 integrated and Upper Nile -> Melut; lifesaving Upper Nile -> Primary Health Maiwut; Upper Nile Care (PHC) -> Ulang; Warrap services for conflict affected and vulnerable populations and strengthening emergency responses in Baliet, Melut, Maiwut and Ulang Counties, Upper Nile State (UNS), Twic, Warrap State and Agok: Abyei Administrative
    [Show full text]
  • South Sudan Crisis Fact Sheet #44 May 30, 2014
    SOUTH SUDAN – CRISIS FACT SHEET #44, FISCAL YEAR (FY) 2014 MAY 30, 2014 1 NUMBERS AT USAID/OFDA F U N D I N G HIGHLIGHTS BY SECTOR IN FY 2014 A GLANCE Nearly 900 cholera cases, including 27 deaths, 2% reported in Juba since late April. 3% 5% New UNMISS mandate makes civilian 1,0 40,706 5% 24% protection a priority. Total Number of Individuals Four donors commit 86 percent of the new Displaced in South Sudan 12% since December 15 $618 million in pledges announced at the U.N. Office for the Coordination of humanitarian conference in Oslo, Norway. Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) – May HUMANITARIAN FUNDING 30, 2014 12% 23% TO SOUTH SUDAN TO DATE IN FY 2014 95,000 14% USAID/OFDA $110,000,000 USAID/FFP2 $147,400,000 Total Number of Individuals Water, Sanitation, & Hygiene (24%) 3 Seeking Refuge at U.N. USAID/AFR $14,200,000 Logistics & Relief Supplies (23%) Mission in the Republic of Multi-Sector Rapid Response Fund (14%) 4 State/PRM $73,300,000 South Sudan (UNMISS) Agriculture & Food Security (12%) Compounds Health (12%) $344,900,000 Protection (5%) OCHA – May 30, 2014 Nutrition (5%) TOTAL USAID AND STATE Humanitarian Coordination & Information Management (3%) HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE Economic Recovery and Market Systems (2%) TO SOUTH SUDAN 9 45,706 Total Number of Individuals Displaced in Other Areas of KEY DEVELOPMENTS South Sudan The number of cholera cases in South Sudan continues to steadily increase, with nearly 900 OCHA – May 30, 2014 cases, including 27 cholera-related deaths, reported in Juba, Central Equatoria State, since late April, according to the U.N.
    [Show full text]
  • Tables from the 5Th Sudan Population and Housing Census, 2008
    Southern Sudan Counts: Tables from the 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census, 2008 November 19, 2010 CENSU OR S,S F TA RE T T IS N T E IC C S N A N A 123 D D β U E S V A N L R ∑σ µ U E A H T T I O U N O S S S C C S E Southern Sudan Counts: Tables from the 5th Sudan Population and Housing Census, 2008 November 19, 2010 ii Contents List of Tables ................................................................................................................. iv Acronyms ...................................................................................................................... x Foreword ....................................................................................................................... xiv Acknowledgements ........................................................................................................ xv Background and Mandate of the Southern Sudan Centre for Census, Statistics and Evaluation (SSCCSE) ...................................................................................................................... 1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 1 History of Census-taking in Southern Sudan....................................................................... 2 Questionnaire Content, Sampling and Methodology ............................................................ 2 Implementation .............................................................................................................. 2
    [Show full text]
  • South Sudan: Jonglei – “We Have Always Been at War”
    South Sudan: Jonglei – “We Have Always Been at War” Africa Report N°221 | 22 December 2014 International Crisis Group Headquarters Avenue Louise 149 1050 Brussels, Belgium Tel: +32 2 502 90 38 Fax: +32 2 502 50 38 [email protected] Table of Contents Executive Summary ................................................................................................................... i I. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 II. Jonglei’s Conflicts Before the Civil War ........................................................................... 3 A. Perpetual Armed Rebellion ....................................................................................... 3 B. The Politics of Inter-Communal Conflict .................................................................. 4 1. The communal is political .................................................................................... 4 2. Mixed messages: Government response to intercommunal violence ................. 7 3. Ethnically-targeted civilian disarmament ........................................................... 8 C. Region over Ethnicity? Shifting Alliances between the Bahr el Ghazal Dinka, Greater Bor Dinka and Nuer ...................................................................................... 9 III. South Sudan’s Civil War in Jonglei .................................................................................. 12 A. Armed Factions in Jonglei ........................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • South Sudan Early Recovery and Humanitarian
    SOUTH SUDAN EARLY RECOVERY AND HUMANITARIAN PROJECT (SSERHP) END EVALUATION REPORT January , 2014 DENNIS OCHIENG & BETTY KWEYU ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Many people among them CARE staff and constituents have contributed to making this evaluation process a successful, smooth-running and rewarding process. Thanks go first of all to the Project Manager Sylvia Kaawe for her unswerving commitment to the evaluation process and tireless effort in ensuring a smooth workflow despite the unrest attributable to the growing tension and anxiety on the ground at the time Secondly, the evaluation team would like to appreciate the input of each and every CARE program staff in Panyagor sub office including but not limited to participation in interviews, coordination and logistics of this evaluation; in most instances beyond working hours and days. We appreciate the effort made by the County commissioner, Payam Administrators and Community members in attending meetings and interview sessions, with very short notices. Last but not least we acknowledge the input and dedication of all other CARE Staff based in Juba who facilitated the evaluation process; without their support the evaluation would not have been successful. i TABLE OF CONTENTS ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................ IV DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS/CONCEPTS ...................................................................................................... V EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Murle History
    The History of Murle Migrations The Murle people live in southeastern Sudan and are proud to be Murle. They are proud of their language and customs. They also regard themselves as distinct from the people that live around them. At various times they have been at war with all of the surrounding tribes so they present a united front against what they regard as hostile neighbors. The people call themselves Murle and all other peoples are referred to as moden. The literal translation of this word is “enemy,” although it can also be translated as “strangers.” Even when the Murle are at peace with a given group of neighbors, they still refer to them as moden. The neighboring tribes also return the favor by referring to the Murle as the “enemy.” The Dinka people refer to the Murle as the Beir and the Anuak call them the Ajiba. These were the terms originally used in the early literature to refer to the Murle people. Only after direct contact by the British did their self-name become known and the term Murle is now generally accepted. The Murle are a relatively new ethnic group in Sudan, having immigrated into the region from Ethiopia. The language they speak is from the Surmic language family - languages spoken primarily in southwest Ethiopia. There are three other Surmic speaking people groups presently living in the Sudan: the Didinga, the Longarim and the Tenet. When I asked the Murle elders about their origins they always pointed to the east and said they originated in a place called Jen.
    [Show full text]