Ambassador Group: Jonglei Peace of Neighbors Report June 2012 This report provides details of the Ambassador Group (AG) trip to the State of Jonglei in South Sudan from December 2011 to January 2012. Our observations serve as the foundation for the policy recommendations included in this report. AmbAmbassadorassador Gr Group:oup: J oJongleinglei PPeaceeace of o fNeighbors Neighbo Reportrs Rep ort JJulyune 20122012 ThisThis report report provides provides details detailsof the Ambassador of the Ambassador Group (AG) Group trip to (AG)the State trip of Jongleito the inState South of Sudan Jonglei from Decemberin South 2011 Sudan to January from December2012. Our observations2011 to January serve as the2012. foundation Our forobservations the policy recommendations serve as the included in this foundationreport, which fwasor the prepared policy with recommendations assistance from Lutheran included Immigration in this report. and Refugee Service. 3 Table of Contents Introduction .....................................................................................................................................6 Background Information .............................................................................................................6 South Sudan Institute ..................................................................................................................6 Ambassador Group ......................................................................................................................7 Methodology ...............................................................................................................................8 Welcome Home Meeting with South Sudan Vice President .......................................................8 Counties Tour Report ....................................................................................................................10 Introductory Summary and Methodology .................................................................................10 Twic East County Report ..........................................................................................................11 Brief Summary ......................................................................................................................11 Conflict Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................11 Duk County Report ...................................................................................................................12 Brief Summary ......................................................................................................................12 Conflict Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................13 Ayod County Report ..................................................................................................................15 Brief Summary ......................................................................................................................15 Conflict Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................16 Wuror County Report ................................................................................................................19 Brief Summary ......................................................................................................................19 Conflict Findings and Recommendations ..............................................................................20 Bortown and Juba ......................................................................................................................22 Briefing in Bortown – Governor Kuol and State Officials ....................................................22 Juba – Dr. Riek, Dr. Barnaba, Head of South Sudan Peace Commission and Others ...........23 Ambassador Group’s Findings and Recommendations ................................................................25 4 Ambassador Group’s Findings ..................................................................................................25 Lack of Inter-counties Road Connection ...............................................................................25 Disarmament and Protection .................................................................................................26 Cattle Raiding and Theft ........................................................................................................27 Lack of Education ..................................................................................................................27 Restriction to Water Resources ..............................................................................................29 NGOs Food Supplies Blockage .............................................................................................29 Lack of Dialogue and Interaction ..........................................................................................29 Border Dispute .......................................................................................................................29 Duk-Wuror Pajut Issue ..........................................................................................................30 Chiefs’ Salary and Incentives ................................................................................................30 Lack of Communication Services ..........................................................................................30 Politicians and the Educated are the Problems ......................................................................31 Kidnapping of Children and Women .....................................................................................31 Ambassador Group’s Recommendations ..................................................................................31 1. One-Month Training for Tribal Chiefs, Elders, Women Leaders and Clergy ................31 2. Deployment of Security Forces ......................................................................................32 3. Road Connectivity to Improve Life and Security Statewide ..........................................32 4. Political Leaders Encourage the Peace Message ............................................................33 5. Training of Civil Society ................................................................................................33 6. Establishment of Peace and Humanitarian Ministry ......................................................34 7. Jonglei and the Greater Upper Nile Youth Conferences ................................................34 8. Comprehensive Disarmament ........................................................................................34 9. Establishment of Development Project in Jonglei .........................................................34 10. Protect and Tax Citizens’ Property .................................................................................34 5 11. Cow Ownership Verification (COV) ..........................................................................36 12. Adult Education and Job Training Centers .................................................................36 13. Dowry Regulation .......................................................................................................37 Follow-up to Jonglei Peace of Neighbors Project...…………………………………………………………………………..39 Concluding Summary ...................................................................................................................40 References and Contacts ...............................................................................................................43 References .................................................................................................................................43 Ambassador Group and South Sudan Institute Contact Information ........................................44 6 Introduction Jonglei, like other states in South Sudan, has experienced tribal turmoil both before and since achieving independence on July 9, 2011. Many citizens of the state have lost their lives in this violence, irrespective of whether their role has been as aggressors or victims. The genesis of these tribal-based conflicts is hard to pinpoint because it stems in part from a strategy of incitement by Khartoum. One contributing factor is that some citizens of South Sudan believe that it is part of their tradition that men must prove their manhood by acquiring material wealth, even if that means killing in order to steal cattle. Another factor is that some see the ongoing violence as an opportunity to avenge the killing of their community members and to obtain the return of children and women abducted by other tribes. A final factor is that in recent years, these conflicts have been turning into poverty wars, in which those who feel unable to support themselves and their families attack and loot from other tribes. Regardless of the exact mix of contributing factors, the killing in Jonglei goes on, and what is critical at this moment is stopping it. In response to this crisis, South Sudan Institute (SSI) and CARE South Sudan are working to help Jonglei tribes develop the skills and courage to solve their tribal-based conflicts. The ultimate goal is for the tribes to live peacefully and respectfully with one another. The report you are about to read concerns a peace project known as the Jonglei Peace of Neighbors. The