Current+Events


 * Cattle Rustling A Deadly Business in Sudan**

Cattle rustling, or stealing, is a huge problem in the South Sudan, which is soon to be the world’s newest nation. Problems like this must be solved in order to create stability and ensure that South Sudan will be a strong, healthy nation. Nuer tribesmen steal cattle from one another because in their culture, cattle are a form of currency. Specifically, cattle are used as a dowry for marriage. In January, 500 Nuer tribesmen raided Panyang, a cattle camp, took 5,000 head of cattle, and killed about a dozen people. Raids like this are very common and are more deadly than raids of the past because today the Nuer use guns that were left over from the civil war in the region instead of the traditional spears. “In 2009, the UN estimated that 2,500 people died in tribal violence in Sudan’s southern region, much of it from cattle raids”. Maj. Madol Samuel Rin, a local police chief, says that stopping the cattle raids are complicated and very dangerous. He recalled an occurrence when he was alerted to a raid and set up an ambush to stop the tribesmen from escaping with the cattle. He reported that the raiders began firing at his men who then returned fire; two raiders were injured and one was killed. In Akobo County, Goi Jooyul Yol, the commissioner, is striving to bring peace. In 2009, his county saw 700 deaths due to cattle raids. He also reported children being abducted. Yol sees these awful acts as a result of the bitterness that the war has left in the region. The government has tried to alleviate the situation by disarming raiders and trying to create jobs. Currently, many young people have given up raiding and have gotten jobs as brick makers, building a new government headquarters. Yol reports that, “in the last year, killings have dropped dramatically”. Grateh Lul Deng, who has been raiding cattle since he was twelve, doubts that peace can be maintained. Since the army confiscated his guns, Deng can no longer raid cattle and is struggling to make a living because he cannot find another job. John Marks, an advisor for USAID, agrees that small programs like the brick making initiative are not enough. Foreign governments are coming together to help South Sudan. Already, more than one billion dollars have been spent “building roads and schools to create new jobs in agriculture and commerce”. The United Nations is currently building a road to Akobo which when finished will be about 120 miles. Commissioner Yol is hopeful and sees the road being used to export tilapia and Nile perch. Without more opportunities for his people, Yul fears the violence will escalate.

** New rebel group opens offensive in southern Sudan ** Turmoil in southern Sudan is threatening the nation before it even becomes official. A rebellion began on Tuesday April 19th when a convoy of military trucks in Unity state was blown up by land mines. This was followed by an attack on the Sudan People’s Liberation Army. Bol Gatkuoth Kol, a spokesman for the rebels, or South Sudan Liberation Army, reported that the attack was done as “the start of the offensive”. They want to overthrow their government because they believe it has failed them. In January, decades of war between north and south Sudan ended, and the south was granted permission to secede and form their own country, which is scheduled to take place in July. After this was declared, internal conflict broke out in the south caused mostly by northern-backed southern militias. To date, hundreds have been killed in the ongoing conflicts. Several rebel groups are banding together under the command of George Athor. Athor was formerly a deputy chief of staff of the southern army, he turned rebel when he lost the gubernatorial election, or election for the position of governor. All together, the rebels are called the South Sudan Democratic Movement. This group is accusing the current government of, “tribal nepotism, corruption, undemocratic rule, and mismanagement of the military”. The real southern army is blaming the rebel uprising on the government of the north because during the civil war, the north was known to arm southern militias. Both the north and the rebel groups deny this claim. Almost all of the rebels are part of the Nuer tribe. Their rival tribe, the Dinka, dominate the leadership of the south; therefore, it makes sense why the Nuer is so strongly against their own government and has formed rebel groups to fight them.

By: Emily Jeanne Hagan

Sources: Langfitt, Frank. "Cattle Rustling A Deadly Business In Sudan : NPR." //NPR : National// // Public Radio : News & Analysis, World, US, Music & Arts : NPR //. 17 Apr. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. deadly-business-in-sudan?ps=cprs>.   Boswell, Alan. "New Rebel Group Opens Offensive in Southern Sudan - World Wires –  MiamiHerald.com." //MiamiHerald.com - Miami & Ft. Lauderdale News, Weather, Miami Dolphins & More//. 19 Apr. 2011. Web. 25 Apr. 2011. .