SPLA-IO Accused of Detaining Civilian Boats, Demanding $4,000 Along Sobat River ‎

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‎ Boat ferrying civilians  Nasir, Upper Nile State  ‎Authorities in Nasir County, Upper Nile State, have accused forces loyal to the Sudan People’s Liberation Army In Opposition (SPLA-IO) of detaining civilian riverboats and demanding ransom-like payments of up to $4,000 from traders and passengers along the Sobat River. ‎ ‎According to Nasir County Commissioner James Gatwech Joak, several boats traveling from Matar in Nasir County to Malakal were intercepted by SPLA-IO soldiers in Yakuach, an area in Nyirol County, Jonglei State. ‎ ‎“Our traders paid local taxes to SPLA-IO in Mandeng before setting off. But on reaching Yakuach, they were detained again and told to pay an additional four thousand U.S. dollars,” Commissioner Gatwech said. ‎ ‎He explained that the detained boat operators and traders were reportedly held for four days while armed men demanded more payments.  ‎ Some of the passengers were women, children, and patients traveling for medical treatment in Malaka...
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Nuer Community Launches Customary Law Reform at Juba Conference

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‎Juba, South Sudan, October 5, 2025 

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‎In a landmark three-day conference held over the weekend in Juba, the Nuer community initiated a comprehensive effort to harmonize its customary laws across regions, addressing long-standing inconsistencies in practices around marriage, dowry, and compensation. 

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‎Key Outcomes & Resolutions

  • ‎The conference convened elders, chiefs, legal scholars, youth representatives, and members of the diaspora to review and revise existing customary practices. 
  • ‎Nuer leaders committed to a unified legal framework that would apply consistently across both eastern and western sections of the community. 
  • ‎A major point of contention was the escalating cost of dowries. Traditionally set between 25 and 35 cows, dowry expectations in some areas have surged to 120–200 cows, or a cash equivalent, placing immense pressure on young grooms. 
  • ‎To rein in the trend, the conference proposed a standard rate of $200 per cow and urged communities to keep dowry demands within reasonable bounds. 
  • ‎Delegates rejected the idea of adjusting dowry based on how much parents invested in raising or educating their daughters, asserting that parenting investment should not become a bargaining tool. 

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‎Next Steps & Broader Engagement

‎James Hoth Mai, Chair of the Nuer community in Juba, emphasized that the reforms adopted in Juba serve as a founding draft. The process will extend to nationwide consultations across Nuer territories and within diaspora networks. 

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‎Organizers intend to draw from historical customary codes, including the original 1942 Nuer customary law and later versions developed during the liberation movement, combining them with expert input and community feedback. 

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‎The finalized version of the unified customary law will be a living document, open to revision over time to reflect evolving social norms and circumstances. 

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‎Significance & Challenges Ahead

‎This reform initiative aims to reduce confusion, inequality, and social tension arising from inconsistent customary practices. 

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In tightly knit communities where customary law plays a central role, harmonization can strengthen social cohesion and provide clarity in legal disputes. 

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However, achieving broad consensus among diverse Nuer sub-communities, balancing tradition with modern values, and ensuring fair enforcement will be significant challenges.

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