S. Sudan launches police unit to target cattle rustling in Jonglei
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April 27, 2011 (LONDON) – The United Nations and government of South
Sudan on April 19 in Jonglei state launched a new police unit to
tackle cattle rustling.
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Jonglei Deputy Governor Hussein Mar and Joe Feeney, UNDP Head of
Office in South Sudan during LPU center launch (Photo: UNDP)
The project, which is being is being piloted Eastern Equatoria and
Jonglei states was “initiated by the Government of Southern Sudan
(GoSS) Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Southern Sudan Bureau for
Community Security and Small Arms Control and the Southern Sudan
Police Service” according to press release from the UN Development
Program (UNDP).
The objective is to reducing tensions within and between pastoralist
communities and their neighbours by reducing cattle raiding and
related criminal activities.
The new Livestock Patrol Unit (LPU) has been launched in Kolnyang
Payam [district], with support Jonglei state, the Southern Sudan
Police Service, UNDP and the UN Mission in Sudan.
The UNDP press release said: “Kolnyang Payam in Jonglei State has a
long history of cattle rustling. Situated on the borders of Dinka Bor
lands in Jonglei and Mundari lands in Central Equatoria State,
problems have flared up frequently between the neighbouring tribes in
recent years over one primary issue – cattle.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony Major General Daniel Deng Lual, Head
of the Southern Sudan Bureau for Community Security and Small Arms
Control said: “This project intends three things – to combat cattle
rustling, increase communication with the community and enhance
partnership with the government.”
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Livestock Patrol Unit (LPU) Patrol Car donated by UN Police. April 19,
2011 (Photo: UNDP)
A select group of police officers have been equipped and trained by
UNDP and UNMIS to “prevent and deter cattle raiding through ongoing
police activities as well as community engagement, including the
establishment of early warning systems and community groups.”
Jonglei state deputy governor Hussein Mar told the Kolnyang community
that the establishment of the unit is in recognition of “the problems
that have happened in Kolnyang” but that “it does not take away the
responsibility to look after your cattle.”
The deputy governor thanked the UN and also the community of Kolnyang
for offering land for the new Unit.
“The Livestock Patrol Unit is really very important to the community,
for there are so many instances of insecurity that will be solved by
this,” said the Kolnyang Chief, adding that since “the government is
here, it is a sign that they are committed to fight cattle raiding.”
Joe Feeney, UNDP Head of Office in South Sudan, said that the
establishment of the Livestock Patrol Unit is “particularly important
for one reason: this Unit represents the state and community working
together.”
In July South Sudan will be become independent after a referendum saw
an overwhelmingly vote for secession. The plebiscite was agreed as
part of a 2005 peace deal that ended over two decades of civil war.
Despite the end of hostilities between the Northern army and the Sudan
People’s Liberation Movement cattle raiding remains a serious cause of
violence and instability in South Sudan, one of the poorest regions of
the world, ahead of its independence.
One of the worst instances since the peace deal was in January 2010
when 140 people died in clashes in Warrap state triggered by members
of the Nuer ethnic group seizing thousands of animals from Dinka
cattle herders.
”On 9 July South Sudan will be the 193rd country in the world and this
Unit is part of building that country, because without a strong State
you cannot have a strong country,” said Joe Feeney.
UNDP says it is providing support to South Sudan’s state governments
to provide security and build the confidence of communities in their
governments and in the rule of law.
(ST)
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