JONGLEI - South Sudan is ramping up its battle against wildlife crime through a dynamic multi-agency initiative that combines training, enforcement, and community engagement.
The initiative, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and African Parks, seeks to strengthen the investigative capacity of wildlife officers and police while also enhancing the prosecution skills of legal practitioners responsible for handling criminal cases.
This is particularly important in Jonglei and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, which is blessed with extraordinary natural resources. These regions play a major role in hosting the world’s largest land mammal migration where an estimated six million antelope traverse the vast landscapes of South Sudan each year.
“The natural heritage of Jonglei is threatened because of illegal poaching, hunting, and trafficking,” says UNMISS Justice Advisor, Kaaria Joy Kawira. “By strengthening special investigative skills and knowledge of the law in combination with community participation, wildlife will be better protected.”
Over 30 participants in the training worked through real case studies and engage in practical exercises led by experienced trainers from the Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism and African Parks.
The initiative is timely because, between December and May each year, wildlife in Jonglei face their biggest challenge.
The dry season.
This is when tiang antelopes become particularly vulnerable as armed poachers kill as many as possible to sell the meat in the markets.
What started as a small-scale problem has now grown into a highly organized and profitable operation.
If nothing is done, experts warn the population of this precious animal could disappear.
“People should be warned. We will confront them if they don’t stop poaching. Impunity must stop,” stressed Police Commissioner, Major General Abendego Akol.
It’s not just about enforcement. Stopping poaching means changing how people think through raising community awareness that wildlife matters, not just for today, but for the future.
“Take everything you learn here to your communities. Educate your people. Because the mindset of our people, that is where real change begins,” added Police Commissioner Akol.
The stakes are high as wildlife are a natural treasure as well as a major tourism opportunity.
Protection is an obligation but also a shared responsibility, says the President of the Jonglei High Court, Peter Nyok.
“We are here not just to honor our biodiversity but to equip ourselves with knowledge and tools to protect it. This is the duty of every citizen, for our future and for generations come,” he said.
Wildlife authorities are trying to strike a balance, recognizing the extreme hardship experienced by millions of people across the country amidst a humanitarian and economic crisis.
The director of wildlife in Jonglei State Major general Zackeria Atem explained that limited, community-based use of wildlife may still be allowed but commercial hunting is not.
“We are not stopping people from using wildlife responsible to survive,” explains Major General Zackeria Atem, Jonglei Director of Wildlife. “But we will not allow it to become a business.”
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By Mach Samuel
