Introduction

Pochala, the only ‘Umber’ in ‘Red’ on the map, At the border of South Sudan, deep within Boma National Park, is a county in Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) in South Sudan, bordering Pibor, Akobo, Uror. The county is one of the counties affected by conflicts over the years. Pochalla’s proximity to Pibor has made it susceptible to clashes between the Murle and Anyuak communities, mostly resulting from perceived inequalities in governance opportunities and unresolved land disputes.

The County has also been facing food insecurity. IPC projections placed Pochalla County at a Crisis (IPC Phase 3) level of food insecurity in 2023. Ideally, statistically, an area like Pochalla must be really unique to be in IPC3 in an entire region of IPC4. With no road, no river transport connecting to the county, no market, no peace, and not much agriculture, the county has remained in ‘IPC3’.

The Irony of being in IPC3

Climate change and conflict have led to unpredictable livelihood patterns. Weather patterns alternating between dry spells and severe flooding have made it difficult for farmers to anticipate planting and harvesting seasons, leading to decreases in crop yields in the county. Lack of roads, and soaring inflation have limited the supply of goods in Pochalla, escalating the food security crisis. The high cost of transportation of goods from Ethiopia, and high costs and relative inefficiency of air transport for charter flights from Juba contribute to unsustainable price rises that are unaffordable to the households. Periods of food insecurity have led households to turn to negative coping mechanisms such as foraging for wild foods and poaching games in nearby Boma National Park to supplement their diets. The only source of livelihood is the brewing of alcohol, cutting trees for sale, and poaching. This IPC3 status is long gone, or maybe it was never there. Maybe it was never felt.

A Journey of One Day in Pochala, Turns Out 14 Days

My first time in Pochalla county, I am surrounded by the forest, before landing, I ask, “Where are we exactly” where is the town? Where is the market? Everyone smiles, Welcome to Pochalla. A Google search indicates that the nearest shop Desa Hailu General Shop is in Gambela Ethiopia 125km away. I send a colleague to go to Ethiopia and get some items including a basin/bucket for me to take a bath. With no network, and no means of communication, I send a bodaboda rider, to go and find the colleague, one week later, I receive these photos. The colleague needs to be rescued. Stuck on the only ‘ROAD’ from Ethiopia, a rider has to go 125km away, to access the network to send me photos of an update. Another rider has to organise to cook food and take it into the forest until the rescue team arrives. I pay 1500 USD for a rescue vehicle. I never got to see him, until I left Pochala.

The ‘Cry of Pochala Women

‘We live in fear, every other time, there is a curfew, not to step out due to predicted attack from the neighborhood’. Women, the main drivers of their livelihoods, fear going to the forest to farm because of insecurity. They are at a risk of sexual assault, kidnapping, and forced marriage if they go to the forest. They make alcohol and sell firewood as their only source of livelihood. The young boys and girls have turned to drug and alcohol abuse, every young man arming himself to protect their mothers and sisters from the enemy. The Pochala women desire the freedom to farm, the freedom to trade, the freedom to create wealth, the freedom to convene and to interact. The community is living in fear, not knowing when the enemy will strike again. They feel abandoned, with no one to turn to. They are believed to be doing fine in IPC3. How fine can one be, without food, without security, without access to the market, without trade?

Our call to action

Coalition for Humanity recalls all previous resolutions on the promotion of the right to peace and the promotion of peace as adopted by the General Assembly, the Commission on Human Rights and the Human Rights Council, resolution 32/28 of 1 July 2016. Everyone has the right to enjoy peace such that all human rights are promoted and protected and development is fully realized; States should respect, implement and promote equality and non-discrimination, justice and the rule of law, and guarantee freedom from fear and want as a means to build peace within and between societies; peace is not only the absence of conflict but also requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation, and socioeconomic development is ensured.

We call upon the Pibor administration, the national government, and the humanitarian partners to support a dynamic participatory process where dialogue between the two communities is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation. We call upon the stakeholders to ensure Justice and reconciliation between the two communities through the establishment of sound redress mechanisms on issues of historical cross-border injustices. We call upon the government to address the issues of inaccessibility.

Give Pochala peace and one road and all problems will be resolved