Chuil communities commit to breaking cycle of cattle raiding and revenge attacks at UNMISS peace forum

JONGLEI – Across Jonglei, cattle raids can quickly become more than the loss of livestock.

Lives are lost. Homes are destroyed. Families are displaced.

Retaliatory attacks follow and the vicious cycle of violence continues.

In Chuil Payam, Nyirol County, community representatives are working to break that cycle by strengthening dialogue and addressing grievances before they escalate.

Over two days, 50 representatives from the Gaatbal Cie-Lang and Cien-Yoal communities, including chiefs, elders, youth and women representatives, faith-based leaders, local administrators and organized forces, gathered to discuss practical ways to prevent violence and promote peaceful coexistence.

“Young people are frequently caught up in these conflicts, suffering immense harm from the cattle raiding and revenge attacks among Greater Lou communities,” said youth representative, Mai James Bang.

The dialogue, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in collaboration with Non-Governmental Organization, Peace Canal, provided a safe and inclusive space for participants to address the multitude of challenges affecting their communities, including insecurity and political divisions.

Participants agreed on a set of resolutions, including strengthening community dialogue, establishing neutral spaces for mediation, protecting civilians and property, preventing cattle raiding and retaliation, safeguarding freedom of movement and humanitarian access, and building trust between communities and security actors.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Abdul Rahman Kamara, emphasized that the commitments belong to the communities themselves.

“This document signed today is not an UNMISS recommendation; it is yours. These are your own resolutions, and we are here to help you achieve them. Peace does not come in one day; it is a process.”

For community leader Ruot Chiok Mun, civilian protection is central to efforts to build lasting peace.

“We have lost everything, homes, livestock and other property, during the conflict,” he explained, describing the difficulties families face when forced to relocate in search of food and materials to rebuild their homes.

Attendees also stressed the need to rebuild trust and implement locally led solutions, including early intervention measures to prevent incidents from occurring and escalating.

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By Achol Kur Marial