NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL – When the dry season arrives, it’s time for the cattle to move.
To protect these precious resources during this lean period, pastoralists from the north start migrating their herds southwards to fresh pasture and access to water. Their very survival depends on this process.
However, the movement of vast numbers of livestock across the country creates tensions as the herders come into conflict with farmers who are trying to protect their crops from marauding cattle and to secure their own water supplies for irrigation.
Disputes over access to the scarce resource can easily boil over into violence.
To avoid this outcome, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan supports pre-emptive and ongoing mediation between the groups, including migration conferences earlier this year in Wanyjok and Nyamlel, where leaders from Dinka Malual, Rezeigat, and Misseriya discussed routes and dispute resolution processes.
As a result, leaders are reporting fewer tensions along key migration routes, including traditional Dinka Malual Chief, Kon Uguak Kon, who stressed the important role of local peace committees in rapidly resolving disputes and preventing conflict.
"Whenever tensions rise—be it cattle raids or disputes over grazing land—we gather to listen, talk, and find solutions together."
This tradition of ongoing rather than one-off dialogue is essential to deal with the seasonal nature of migration.
"This year, cattle move peacefully along the migration routes because of the agreements and dialogue achieved at the recent UNMISS-facilitated peace conference," explained coordinator, Luka Lual Nyal.
In Rumaker, Rezeigat leaders are also seeing real change with new agreements helping their community move forward together.
“Because of the conference resolutions, our cattle now travel peacefully through Rumaker—something we once only hoped for,” shared Chief Jido Babo Hamad of the Rezeigat community in South Darfur, Sudan.
Seasonal migration is not just about livelihoods—it is central to conflict prevention.
“By bringing communities together through migration conferences, we create a safe space for people to voice concerns and find solutions before problems escalate,” said Adewuyi Adewumi, UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer.
--
By Busang Davies Maruping
