Sudan war forces Rizeigat community to sell livestock in South Sudan

Musa, a cattle owner in Darfur, stands with his animals during a vaccination exercise in Sudan. (ICRC photo)

The Arab Rizeigat tribe of Sudan’s East Darfur State has been forced to find new markets for their livestock in the neighboring Republic of South Sudan.

They have also been forced to import commodities like sugar, wheat flour, beverages, and other necessities from South Sudan as the war rages on in Sudan.

The conflict that erupted on 15 April between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has left thousands dead and millions have been forced to seek refuge in neighboring countries including Egypt, Ethiopia, Chad, and South Sudan among others.

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, the Chairman of the Rizeigat Joint Peace Committee, Abdalla Sadiq Saad, confirmed the arrival of their livestock in South Sudan because the ongoing war has affected their livelihoods.

“The trade movement has already started and the first batch of livestock has arrived in Wau, Western Bahr el Ghazal State. I called our merchants and they told me that they have reached Wau safely after passing in Gokmachar and Aweil and another batch is also coming this week,” he said. “We wish the community and Government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to sign a special deal with us for the establishment of a larger market where herders from East Darfur State can operate their cattle business and we are ready to export our livestock to regional markets via South Sudan due to the current war situation in Sudan.”

For his part, Anguei Noon Atak, the Dinka Malual representative in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s Aweil North County, said their community welcomed the cooperation agreement with the Rizeigat of East Darfur State.   

“The Rizeigat traders came from East Darfur with their goods and we have approved their businesses of livestock and other goods in our local markets without any problems because our relations are realized through trade activities, peaceful coexistence between cattle keepers, host community, and travelers between Sudan and South Sudan,” Noon said.

Meanwhile, Aweil North County Commissioner Kiir Chan Wol said his administration is providing security to the Arab investments who he said are carrying out their activities without peacefully.

“The Arab cattle merchants from the East Darfur State in Sudan have arrived in Northern Bahr el Ghazal via Gokmachar corridor with their livestock and are now purchasing consumable items in return and transit them to Sudan freely,” he said.