By Majok Guet Kuol
Despite numerous peace conferences and signed resolutions over the past decade, child abductions and cattle raiding between Jonglei State and the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) persist. While leaders from both regions have repeatedly committed to peace, a combination of political, economic, and social factors has hindered progress.
In January and June 2025, high-level peace conferences in Juba concluded with renewed promises of accountability and the return of abducted children. However, within weeks, new raids and abductions occurred, leading to casualties on both sides.
Peace partners, including Peace Canal and the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), have continued to facilitate dialogue, but the underlying issues remain.
Lack of Political Will and Accountability
Community leaders and government officials point to a lack of political will as a primary cause for the ongoing violence. Torit Jonkozo, the Chairperson of Gumruk County Youth Association, believes the government is not doing enough to hold criminals accountable.
“We are cut off from accessing each other; no roads, no activities that bring people together,” Jonkozo said. “We need to exchange visits to build confidence and trust. The government is supposed to do it, but they are not committed. The issue of law enforcement is a major concern.”
Peter Simon, the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement Agency for GPAA, echoed these frustrations, stating that resolutions from the Governor’s forum have not been implemented.
“We make agreements in Bor and Juba, and even with the governor’s forum, but there’s no follow-up,” he said. “The raiders return before the ink dries. Disarmament must be mutual and carried out by the strong forces of the government, supported by the national government.”
Structural and Developmental Failures
Jonglei State Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok attributes the persistent instability to a combination of structural and developmental failures.
“The lack of sustainable development and basic infrastructure—roads, schools, and hospitals—has left communities isolated and marginalized,” Dr. Riek said. “Our institutions are too weak to enforce the law or resolve disputes effectively.”
He highlighted the GPAA’s isolation, stating, “There are no proper roads linking it to other states. There’s little interaction or peace exchange between the people. When communities are isolated, they become entrenched in old habits of revenge and survival.”
Former GPAA Chief Administrator Peter Guzulu agreed, pointing to the absence of government services as a major factor. “In some areas of GPAA, there’s nothing—no schools, no healthcare, no functioning police. How can peace thrive in a vacuum?”
Root Causes and Community Complicity
Guzulu also noted that some community leaders and officials have protected youth who commit crimes, fostering a culture of impunity.
“Criminals should be treated as criminals whether they’re your sons or someone else’s. That’s the only way we can end these practices,” he said.
Bol Deng Bol, a civil society advocate, summarized the urgent needs of the region, saying, “We need schools, not guns. Jobs, not raids. Let’s not wait for another funeral before we act.”
The informal economy around cattle raiding, where cattle are both a cultural symbol and a source of wealth, has also complicated peace efforts. Raids, once a means of paying dowry, have become increasingly deadly and commercialized.
A Glimmer of Hope
Despite the challenges, there have been successes. Pandek Akim Manyok, whose two sons were abducted in 2013, shared his family’s painful experience and the immense relief of having them returned years later through an inter-community peace effort.
“Let no other family go through what we did,” Manyok said. “We need peace, and we need to protect our children.”
Guzulu also recalled his work with the local organization Peace Canal, where he helped return over 200 abducted women and children. “It’s possible,” he said. “But it needs honesty, coordination, and resources.”
The Way Forward
Experts and peacebuilders agree that a new approach is needed, one that focuses on youth and women, supported by sustained community dialogue, resources, and real accountability.
UNMISS reports indicate over 500 abductions in Jonglei and GPAA in the last five years alone, highlighting the urgent need for a solution.
Editor’s Note: This story was reported with a grant from Journalists for Human Rights under the ‘Tackling Mis/Disinformation Project,’ funded by the Peace and Stabilization Program of the Government of Canada.”