Aweil East Border Peace: A Rare Calm
Aweil East’s border area in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is experiencing an unusual calm after renewed peace talks between the Dinka Malual community and nomadic groups from Sudan. The zone has long been affected by cattle raids and retaliatory attacks, according to local accounts.
Cross-Border Violence Declines, Leaders Say
Local peace leaders report a sharp drop in cross-border violence in recent months, citing fewer incidents of cattle theft, armed confrontations and revenge killings. They frame the shift as a welcome break from the cycle that has repeatedly strained relations among Dinka Malual, Misseriya and Rezigat communities.
UNMISS Peace Review Symposium in Wanyjok
The chairperson of the Aweil East Border Peace Committee, Luka Lual Nhial, links the improved security to a four-day peace review symposium held last week in Wanyjok Town. The meeting was organised by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UNMISS, he said.
Community and Government Participation in Talks
Nhial said the gathering brought together traditional chiefs, youth and women leaders, and government officials from South Sudan, alongside representatives of the Misseriya and Rezigat communities from Sudan. “It was a critical step in reviewing previous agreements and reaffirming our collective commitment to peace,” he said (UNMISS symposium accounts).
Reaffirmed Deals on Raids, Loss of Life and Movement
According to Nhial, the dialogue revisited earlier resolutions meant to address key drivers of border conflict, including cattle raiding, loss of life and seasonal grazing movements. He presented the talks as a forum for reinforcing shared understandings rather than drafting entirely new arrangements.
Compensation Mechanism Reconfirmed: 41 Cows Equivalent
One resolution reaffirmed during the discussions was the compensation mechanism for victims of intercommunal violence. Under the agreement, compensation equivalent to 41 cows, paid in monetary value, is required in cases where a person is killed during cross-border conflict, participants said.
Dry-Season Grazing Rules and Advance Notification
The meeting also renewed commitments on grazing arrangements for nomadic herders entering South Sudan during the dry season. Nhial said herders are required to notify host communities and local authorities before moving into grazing zones, to reduce risks of clashes near cultivated land.
Early Signs on the Ground, with Caution
Nhial said no killings or major violent incidents have been reported along the Aweil East border so far this year, calling it a marked change from previous patterns. He added that small-scale cattle theft still occurs, but described it as isolated and not community-driven.
Sustaining Aweil East Border Peace Efforts
Peace leaders are urging continued cooperation to protect the gains credited to the renewed talks. “From raids, we are now moving toward reconciliation,” Nhial said, arguing that consistent communication and respect for agreed procedures can help keep tensions from escalating again.