Effectiveness of pastoralist seasonal cross -border migration conferences 2017-2019 in peace building and conflict management in Abyei, South Sudan

Abstract

Abyei region harbours two different tribes, the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka (MAND) Communities. Every year during the dry season, pastoralists from Misseriya nomadic communities from Sudan crosses the border to Abyei region in search for water and pastures for their livestock and trading of goods and animals. In this process, disputes arise over the competition of the limited resources such as water, pastures, grazing land; fishing and Pastoralist seasonal cross border migration conference organizations have purposely organized peaceful meetings to manage pastoralist conflicts in the area. The purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of pastoralist seasonal cross border migration conferences 2017-2019 in peace building and conflict management in Abyei, South Sudan. The study‟s specific objectives were: to investigate the role of pastoralist seasonal migration 2017-2019 conferences; examine the benefits of pastoralist seasonal migration 2017-2019 conferences; find out the challenges hindering pastoralist seasonal migration 2017-2019 conferences and strategies adopted to promote the activities of pastoralist seasonal migration 2017-2019 conferences in peace building and conflict management among communities in the Abyei Region. The study was anchored on two theories; Conflict Transformation Theory and Contingency Theory. Literature was reviewed as per the study objectives. The study adopted a descriptive survey design to examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. Target population was 5,375 people who included NGO employees, government representatives and members of the public from Abyei region and who were directly involved in peace building and conflict management initiatives. The study adopted stratified sampling technique to select respondents. Simple random sampling method was then used to select a sample size from members of the public and NGO employees; purposive sampling was used to select respondents from government representatives. A sample size of 372 was used in the study. A pilot test was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of the data collection tools (Questionnaires). Quantitative data analysis was done using descriptive statistics via software package for social science (SPSS). Regression analysis was done to reveal the relationship between the dependent and the independent variables. The study findings generally, indicated that the reliability (R) of the research instruments was 0.986 with a coefficient value of 1.15. Specifically, the findings of the study were that; effectiveness of pastoralist seasonal cross-border 2017-2019 migration conference activities, benefits implementing pastoralist seasonal cross-border 2017-2019 migration conferences, challenges facing pastoralist seasonal cross-border2017-2019 migration conferences and strategies adapted to promote pastoralist cross-border 2017-2019 migration conferences had a relationship with peace building and conflict management in Abyei, South Sudan. The study recommends that peace building organizations ensure their activities aim at achieving lasting peace. This is important as these activities create peace building initiatives which include projects which help unite communities. Ensure there are minimum challenges and at the same time adopt good strategies which ensure achievement of lasting peace within communities in Abyei region.