Internal Cattle Migration Conference

  • Country/entity
    South Sudan
  • Region
    Africa (excl MENA)
  • Agreement name
    Internal Cattle Migration Conference
  • Date
    20 Nov 2020
  • Agreement status
    Multiparty signed/agreed
  • Interim arrangement
    Yes
  • Agreement/conflict level
    Intrastate/local conflict ( Sudan Conflicts (1955 - ) )
  • Stage
    Framework/substantive - partial
  • Conflict nature
    Inter-group
  • Peace process
    South Sudan: Post-secession Local agreements
  • Parties
    The government of Lakes state and the leaders and representatives of the Dinka Agar community.

    Signed by:

    Hon. Maj. Gen. Makur Kulang Liei
    Governor, Lakes State

    Madol Mathok Agoldeer
    Paramount Chief, Kuei

    Majak Agok Machol
    Paramount Chief, Aliamtoc 1

    Manyang Derder Ajieng
    Paramount Chief, Aliamtoc 2

    Sebit Kuac Manyiel
    Paramount Chief, Rup

    Matueny Chapuol Achien
    Paramount Chief, Pakam

    Mangar Dhal Manyiel
    Executive Chief, Kuei

    Madeng Manyang Mangar Executive Chief, Aliamtoc 1

    John Marial Dongrin
    Executive Chief, Aliamtoc 2

    Guong Akoldit Ruoc
    Executive Chief, Rup

    Mariik Liény Malith
    Executive Chief, Pakam


    Mariik Makulieny Mawuom
    Gelweng Leader, Kuei

    Magangrial Madol Makoi
    Gelweng Leader, Aliamtoc 1

    Maleny Manyuon Gueng
    Gelweng Leader, Aliamtoc 2

    Matur Majak Makuer
    Gelweng Leader, Rup

    Poth Deng Yii
    Gelweng Leader, Pakam
  • Third parties
    Witnessed by:

    Khalif Farah - UNMISS

    David Nyuol Vincent - POF
  • Description
    A cattle migration conference agreement which establishes the conditions for the Dinka Agar community to move their cattle to Toc and is also in part an inter-communal reconciliation to address inter and intra communal conflict in the lakes state and surrounding areas. The agreement provides for compensation to victims of previous conflict and inter-communal cattle disputes. The agreement also contains annexes which describe pending issues which should be continued through dialogue and efforts from state government and monitoring bodies. These include reference to provisional agreements from the pre-agreement process to this conference and agreement. One annex sets out the list of outstanding issues between communities and on cross-border issues concerning other counties or communities. The second annex sets out the unilateral agreements or statements by each of the communities represented in the signing of this agreement, setting out each of their conditions and grievances which shape the premise of holding this conference and agreement.

Local agreement properties

  • Process type
    Formal structured process
  • Rationale
    This type of conference has a clearly structured and persistent nature as a mechanism which prepares communities for migration through dialogue. It is clearly supported by community level and regional state level officials, as well as by external bodies in the form of the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF) and UNMISS.
  • Is there a documented link to a national peace process?
    Yes
  • Link to national process: articulated rationale
    No clear reference in the text, however given the context that this is a premigration conference which is central to national peace between Sudan and South Sudan as a type of negotiation prior to cattle migration during the wider migration season. This can be viewed as supporting a central part of peace in relation to the aims of the national process (see references) as a key point of ongoing dispute for pastoral communities with these annual movements (see examples on PA-X database of South Sudan national process agreements providing for annual migration).
  • Name of Locale
    Rumbek
  • Nature Of Locale
    Region
  • GPS Lat/Long (DD)
    6.806975, 29.677826
  • Participant type
    Domestic religious organisation/leader or other elder
    Regional state actor
  • Mediator, facilitator or similar
    Mediator or similar referred to
    Mediator (references)
    Suggestion throughout agreement text that the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF) in partnership with UNMISS are supporting and coordinating meetings around this process. POF is a Uk led funding mechanism which involves working with local church groups and leadership groups to encourage dialogue between local communities (see references). The reference in the agreement text seems to indicate this level of support as being more than only financial in this instance and also supported by UNMISS, with both groups signing as witnesses as further external support: Page 1, Preamble, ... We also appreciate the dedicated support provided by the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF) in partnership with UNMISS which made this Internal Cattle Migration Conference possible.
    Type of mediator/facilitator/similar
    International or transnational actor

Local issues

  • Ritual/prayer and process (including use of scripture)
    Page 2, Resolutions of the Parties

    5. We have agreed to conduct traditional rituals that used to be performed at Luak (shrine) by all sections and ask Panyar, Joth, and Amoth-nhom to contribute cattle to Luak Ajok GOP, followed by all the other sections.

    6. We have agreed for our Spiritual Leaders, led by Panyar, to conduct the necessary rituals that are supposed to be performed before migrating to toc.
  • Grievance List
    Page 1, Preamble

    ... We are aware of the destruction this conflict has inflicted on every aspect of our physical, social, and economic life and our mutual co-existence. We regret the failure to avert the losses caused by this crisis in a timely manner.

    Page 2, Resolutions of the Parties

    1. We, the leaders of Dinka Agar community, who have gathered here for the last four days, have agreed to wait until the formation of the Special Courts to hear all the pending cases and ensure that all victims are compensated accordingly. We ask the leadership of Lakes State to address this as a matter of priority.

    Page 2, Resolutions of the Parties

    7. We have agreed no one should migrate to toc with a gun and anyone found with a weapon in toc will be disarmed and fined by paying five cows. In return, we ask the government to deploy security forces in toc to take charge of our security.

    8.We have agreed unanimously to condemn cattle theft and cattle exchange, and that anybody who will be killed during the process of stealing will not be revenged and those caught should be punished heavily by the law. If the thief kills someone (owner of the cattle) in the process of raiding, the victim(s) should be compensated by 51 cows, paid to the family of the deceased.

    9.We have agreed that the apprehension of thieves or cattle rustlers and murderers will be coordinated by the Paramount Chiefs, Executive Chiefs and Gelweng leaders. These individuals will be brought to the Special Court to be constituted by the Chief Justice.

    10.We have agreed that if any person steals a cow, he will be fined five cows, to be paid to the Government.

    11. We have agreed to discourage and stop brewing of local alcohol in the villages and cattle camps. We understand the destruction this causes to our young people, and we commit to working with our women to find alternative means of supporting families.

    Page 3, Resolutions of the Parties

    14. We ask the management of POF to extend its peace and reconciliation programme across Lakes State because we (Dinka Agar) cannot be peaceful and yet our neighbours, Yirol and Gok are still fighting one another.
  • Cattle rustling/banditry
    Page 2, Resolutions of the Parties

    8. We have agreed unanimously to condemn cattle theft and cattle exchange, and that anybody who will be killed during the process of stealing will not be revenged and those caught should be punished heavily by the law. If the thief kills someone (owner of the cattle) in the process of raiding, the victim(s) should be compensated by 51 cows, paid to the family of the deceased.

    9. We have agreed that the apprehension of thieves or cattle rustlers and murderers will be coordinated by the Paramount Chiefs, Executive Chiefs and Gelweng leaders. These individuals will be brought to the Special Court to be constituted by the Chief Justice.

    10. We have agreed that if any person steals a cow, he will be fined five cows, to be paid to the Government.
  • Social cover

    No specific mention.

Internal Cattle Conference

Airport Hotel, Rumbek I Lakes State, South Sudan

17-20 November 2020

Preamble

We the local leaders, Paramount Chiefs, Executive Chiefs, Spiritual Leaders, Elders, Youth, Intellectuals, and Women of Agar community have suffered the consequences of

prolonged inter- and intra- communal conflict.

We are aware of the destruction this conflict has inflicted on every aspect of our physical, social, and economic life and our mutual co-existence.

We regret the failure to avert the losses caused by this crisis in a timely manner.

We also appreciate the dedicated support provided by the Peacebuilding Opportunities

Fund (POF) in partnership with UNMISS which made this Internal Cattle Migration Conference possible.

Further, we appreciate the tireless effort of our state leadership, under Hon.

Maj.

Gen.

Makur Kulang Liei, Governor of Lakes State, for ensuring relative peace and support to this conference till this day has been reached

We recognise the United Kingdom Government for supporting the cattle camp research in the five sections of the Dinka Agar, the annual pre-migration dialogues, and this Internal Cattle Migration Conference.

We affirm our commitment to maintain this peace and restore lives, our norms and social fabric.

We assure ourselves, the Government and peace partners that we will continue to dialogue until a lasting and sustainable peace with all neighbouring communities is achieved.

We do, as a result of this, resolve today at this gathering, held at Airport Hotel Rumbek,

Lakes State, to the following resolutions:

Resolutions of the Parties

1. We, the leaders of Dinka Agar community, who have gathered here for the last four days, have agreed to wait until the formation of the Special Courts to hear all the pending cases and ensure that all victims are compensated accordingly.

We ask the leadership of Lakes State to address this as a matter of priority.

2. We have also agreed for any cases of cattle balances to be heard once the Special Courts are formed.

If anyone recognises their bull or cow in the toc, they should report this to the Monitoring Committee immediately.

It is the Monitoring Committee who should decide the course of action.

3. The conference has resolved that the migration of cattle to toc will be regulated by the Government prior to the movement.

We have also agreed for the Government to set a date for the migration, until which no cattle camp should move.

4. We have agreed that if any individual(s) initiate the movement of their cattle camp to the toc without Government approval, they will be fined and held accountable.

5. We have agreed to conduct traditional rituals that used to be performed at Luak (shrine) by all sections and ask Panyar, Joth, and Amoth-nhom to contribute cattle to Luak Ajok GOP, followed by all the other sections.

6. We have agreed for our Spiritual Leaders, led by Panyar, to conduct the necessary rituals that are supposed to be performed before migrating to toc.

7. We have agreed no one should migrate to toc with a gun and anyone found with a weapon in toc will be disarmed and fined by paying five cows.

In return, we ask the government to deploy security forces in toc to take charge of our security.

8. We have agreed unanimously to condemn cattle theft and cattle exchange, and that anybody who will be killed during the process of stealing will not be revenged and those caught should be punished heavily by the law.

If the thief kills someone (owner of the cattle) in the process of raiding, the victim(s) should be compensated by 51 cows, paid to the family of the deceased.

9. We have agreed that the apprehension of thieves or cattle rustlers and murderers will be coordinated by the Paramount Chiefs, Executive Chiefs and Gelweng leaders.

These individuals will be brought to the Special Court to be constituted by the Chief Justice.

10. We have agreed that if any person steals a cow, he will be fined five cows, to be paid to the Government.

11. We have agreed to discourage and stop brewing of local alcohol in the villages and cattle camps.

We understand the destruction this causes to our young people, and we commit to working with our women to find alternative means of supporting families.

12. We have agreed that if any person of any section breaches this agreement, the first action will be for their leaders, starting with the Paramount Chiefs, to be arrested immediately, and they will be answerable to the government.

13. We the Delegates, Chiefs, Gelweng, Akut de door, under POF and the Lakes State Peaceful Disarmament Steering Committee, immediately after this conference, shall go and disseminate peace messages and these resolutions.

14. We ask the management of POF to extend its peace and reconciliation programme across Lakes State because we (Dinka Agar) cannot be peaceful and yet our neighbours, Yirol and Gok are still fighting one another.

15. We have agreed to consult and seek permission from the authorities and traditional leaders of Belle and Mvolo before migrating to their land.

16. We have agreed for the Paramount Chiefs, Executive Chiefs and Gelweng leaders to meet and review the progress of the agreement every six weeks.

We ask POF and UNMISS to help coordinate these meetings.

17. We have agreed to continue to dialogue and resolve the pending issues, annexed to this agreement, with the support of POF, UNMISS and other peace partners.

18. We have agreed to establish the Internal Cattle Migration Monitoring Committee (ICMMC) of fifteen members to monitor, liaise and implement these resolutions.

The Committee's composition shall be as follows: