Dinka Malual, Reizeigat Committees Review Blood Compensation Accord

By Hou Akot Hou

Nyamlel, Northern Bahr el-Ghazal — Peace committees representing the Dinka Malual and Reizeigat communities have agreed to amend the existing blood compensation accord, a customary justice mechanism used to resolve intercommunal killings and maintain peaceful coexistence along the South Sudan–Sudan border.

Blood compensation, traditionally settled in cattle, is a long-standing practice in many pastoralist communities to redress wrongful killings and prevent cycles of revenge. Amid economic changes and migration patterns, the two neighboring groups convened to review and adapt the terms of the agreement to current realities.

The revisions were made during a two-day pre- and post-migration peace conference held in Aweil West County on Wednesday and Thursday. The conference brought together members of the Dinka Malual peace committee from Northern Bahr el-Ghazal and their Reizeigat counterparts from Darfur, Sudan.

Majok Deng Akuacdit, Secretary-General of the Dinka Malual Peace Committee, said the gathering aimed to address lingering tensions and clarify controversial clauses, particularly the monetary value attached to cattle used in compensation.

“In the past, one cow for compensation was valued at SSP 150,000. But with inflation and logistical challenges, we agreed to modify this,” Deng explained.

Under the revised deal:

• Intentional killings will require a payment of 41 cows or SSP 20 million.
• Unintentional killings will require 21 cows or SSP 10 million.
• If the cows are not physically deliverable, cash compensation will be accepted to account for losses or delays in transport.

Deng praised the participation of Reizeigat representatives, led by Muhamud Mussa, who traveled with 11 delegates from Darfur. They were joined by 12 paramount chiefs from the Dinka Malual community.

“We deliberated on several issues, and the meetings were fruitful. This shows our shared commitment to peace,” he said.

The conference also agreed to increase vigilance on both sides of the border. Armed individuals found crossing the River Kiir into Northern Bahr el-Ghazal are to be disarmed to prevent further incidents.

The committees also addressed a recent cross-border case involving a stolen motorbike. Deng said the Reizeigat peace committee pledged to apprehend the suspect believed to have fled to Darfur.

This sustained dialogue between the Dinka Malual and Reizeigat underscores the importance of community-led peacebuilding in regions with long histories of seasonal migration, cattle trade, and cross-border tension.