From Cattle Raids to Peace Talks: How communities are driving local peacebuilding efforts in South Sudan

Cattle raiding has become a brutal reality across  South Sudan, a young nation grappling with the scars of civil war. For many, cattle are a principal source of wealth and prestige, but also a driver of conflict, including among the Dinka Agar, one of the most prominent cattle herding tribes in South Sudan.

Twice a year, as the seasons shift, communities migrate their herds to riverine pastures during the dry season from December to April, and back to semi-permanent settlements during the rains. This annual migration of cattle is a common trigger for violence as clans use modern weaponry to steal cows from neighbouring groups and enact revenge killing. 

Since the country’s independence in 2011, many pastoralist areas of the country have experienced an upsurge in cycles of livestock raiding and revenge killing and, with limited resources to support peacebuilding and strengthen inter-community integration, the issue has worsened.  In the Western part of Lakes State – one of the ‘deadliest’ regions of the country – there were 21 conflict incidents and 105 deaths in just three months in 2020.  

While best placed to understand the complexity of conflict dynamics and respond to local needs, few South Sudanese peacebuilding organisations develop to the point where they can apply for significant funding opportunities directly from international donors. So, in a largely pioneering move, the UK government's FCDO decided a different approach was needed. Enter the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF).   

Created to build the capabilities of communities and prevent violent conflict in lasting and inclusive ways, this innovative programme is making an impact: for the third year running, over a million head of cattle have migrated safely between pastures, with no loss of life. This translates to peace and security for close to half a million pastoralists in this part of the country. 

So what have been the key ingredients of this transformation, and what lessons can we learn for future peacebuilding efforts? 

The programme is implemented by Peace Canal, a national NGO created with support from POF. Crucially, Peace Canal hires advisors are hired directly from the target communities to co-create and deliver culturally sensitive initiatives with a high degree of accountability. This approach ensures that communities are intimately engaged in the design, implementation and monitoring of different approaches, increasing the likelihood of success.  

The journey began with listening. In 2020, local researchers worked within Dinka Agar communities in Lakes State, seeking to understand the root drivers of conflict. They discovered a complex web of grievances, historical animosities, and resource scarcity. Yet, amidst the challenges, they also identified entry points and opportunities for change. 

A pivotal moment arrived in 2021 when POF supported the creation of the Akut de Door, a groundbreaking peace initiative. This grassroots movement brought together representatives from all Dinka Agar sections, and in particular their armed youth leadership (the galweng, ‘protectors of the cattle’), creating a powerful platform for dialogue and reconciliation.  

In many ways, the Akut de Door has shifted the paradigm of conflict resolution. Involving leaders of the conflict groups themselves has enabled rapid action before violence escalates. It has opened more direct channels of communication between conflict groups so that issues can be identified and resolved before the point of escalation. This has transformed the perception of cattle camp leaders from being ‘defenders of cattle’ to becoming ‘defenders of life’.  

A major achievement of the Akut de Door has been agreement on cattle migration routes. By encouraging intra-community dialogue, agreement on cattle migration routes to and from the dry season grasslands is now formalised by state authorities at an Annual Migration Conference. 

Importantly, women, often overlooked in peace processes, have been included in this process, playing a crucial role in ensuring sustainability. 

This story is a testament to the importance of locally informed peacebuilding approaches built around cultural insights and local actors. By working within existing social structures and involving all stakeholders, we were able to find a peaceful solution to a deeply ingrained conflict. It's a small win, but a significant one, offering a glimmer of hope for a more peaceful future in South Sudan.

About the author:

Stephen Akroyd is a senior principal consultant in our Public Sector Governance team. As a staff member working with us for over 20 years, he has extensive experience in managing and carrying out consultancy assignments on a wide range of development issues across countries in Africa, Asia, the Former Soviet Union, and the Pacific.

About the Series: 

Our Paths to Impact series spotlights stories of positive change. Whether it’s new skills acquired, poverty reduced or even lives saved, we look at the journeys that have led to meaningful difference, the people at the heart of that change,  and the small but crucial milestones along the way. These are stories to shout about!