Unmarked graves and endless journeys: the lingering legacy of war in Northern Jonglei

JONGLEI – Jonglei is renowned for its great beauty as one of the world’s largest tropical wetlands and most expansive savannah grasslands.

However, this vast landscape also hosts the deep, dark secret of a growing number of unmarked graves which are silent testaments to the deep scars left by armed conflict.

Losing a loved one is devastating enough.

But for Deborah Ajok, the grief of her mother’s death is intensified by the unresolved trauma of not being able to give her a proper burial.

"Every day, I am haunted by that moment. Images of my mother collapsing in the bush torment me. It would be better if she had died at home, where the community could have gathered to honor her and give her the farewell that she deserved,” shares Deborah.

Deborah and her family are among thousands of people who have fled the armed conflict in northern Jonglei. They travelled for two days on foot across difficult terrain, plagued by the fear of being caught up in the violence again. Weakened by age, her exhausted mother did not survive the journey and was hurriedly buried in a place where her relatives may never find again.

Grief-stricken Deborah cannot imagine ever recovering from this experience. However, she feels at least a little fortunate in having at least escaped the fate of five other women in her group who were abducted, their whereabouts still unknown.

Finally reaching relative safely in Panyagor, in the west of Jonglei State, Deborah now lives in a small tukul (hut) with her eight children, earning about USD5 a day from running a tea shop, and relying on other support from the host community.

"The people of Panyagor have welcomed us with love, and their acceptance means a lot to me,” she explains. “My strength now comes from the hope I have for my children to have better lives.”

Seventy-year-old Deng Chol also fled the violence. But, every day, he fears it will find him again.

"I'm tired of hearing gunshots. I have no strength left to run. If the fighting comes, I will let fate decide. I just want to sit under a tree with friends, sharing tea and laughing.”

However, the safety that Deng and Deborah crave is impacted by severe operational challenges faced by local authorities and law enforcement in their new hometown.

“It is difficult for us to ensure security in the area given the lack of resources,” explains Acting Police Chief, Simon Chol Garang. “Officers must travel to crime scenes on foot. Without boats, police also cannot respond to crimes in the vast swampy areas and there is a critical lack of technical training in criminal investigation.”

Officials at the local prison are also concerned about collapsed holding facilities which force them to mix male and female inmates, a violation of basic human rights.

To address these challenges, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan hosted a workshop in Panyagor to help strengthen security with 40 participants, including local leaders, civil society representatives and members of organized forces.

"Twic East has become a primary destination for those fleeing conflict,” says Peter Wisseh, UNMISS Recovery, Return, and Reintegration Officer. “Our role is to help foster a protective environment and strengthen relationships between the host community and those who are displaced to prevent conflict over scarce resources."

Ajok Abiel, who lost her husband to cattle raiding five years ago, believes the training lays the foundations for improved security.

"It boosts my confidence, allowing me to work to support my family without worrying about the children at home.”

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By Angellah Mandoreba