Police cadets graduate at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum. February 29, 2024. (Photo: Awan Moses).

The Ministries of Interior and Livestock and Fisheries are suggesting establishing the Anti-Stock Theft and Border Police Units to prevent cattle raiding and inter-communal violence in South Sudan.

The idea came as the resolution of the Livestock Conference 2022 to combat cattle raiding in some parts of the country.

The Inspector General of Police, Lt. Gen. Atem Marol Biar says there is a need to train the police and enhance their skills to deal with this task.

General Marol indicated the need to raise awareness among the public about livestock and cattle raiding police unit.

“We must organize two departments, the Anti-Stock Theft and Border Police Units. These two departments will deal with the issue of livestock and cattle raiding,” Lt. Gen Atem said.

“We want to inform our people that we will start with awareness. We need to inform our people that there is no need to raid each other cattle,” he said.

In his part, the Minister of Livestock and Fisheries Onyoti Adigo emphasized the important role that can be played by the Anti-Stock Theft and Border Police Units in fighting cattle raiding.

“According to the recommendation of the resolution of convents in connection with livestock like establishing the anti-stock police unit with the help or the support of UNMISS, we are ready to discuss with them,” Onyoti said.

“We have agreed that again we need to follow up and see exactly how the police can be supported by the UNMISS and now that development partners in connection with the establishing and the support because of a lot of challenges within the police right now,” he said.

In July 2022 the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries with its partners held a conference to discuss the livestock issue in some parts of the country.

The conference disseminated several resolutions and recommendations including the establishment of a livestock police unit to strengthen accountability and the rule of law as well as the implementation of government directives.

The Government should implement an inclusive disarmament programme The Government must establish an Anti-Stock Theft Unit within the South Sudan National Police Service.

The other recommendation is The Government must conduct an inclusive disarmament exercise with consideration for cross-border collaboration (with Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation and the Interpol Regional Centre on Small Arms) and consider the introduction of technologies such as livestock identification and traceability system;

Mitigation of cattle raiding and migration-related conflict must be a key component of the current roadmap and pathway to peace.