SUMMARY

Historically, the tension between the two largest ethnic groups in Southern Sudan Dinka and Nuer has been categorized by competition over power. Conflicts between the two groups have been going on for a long time and the main reason behind the attacks has traditionally been cattle raiding. Conflicts over cattle are still ongoing but many of the conflicts between the two ethnic groups have been political lately.

The animosity between the groups was used by the regime in Khartoum, Sudan in a divide and rule policy during the North-South civil war. This resulted in that much of the killing during the war was between Dinka and Nuer. After the war ended in 2005 Southern Sudan became semi-autonomous, and after the independence of South Sudan in 2011, the Dinka - Nuer tension has taken place over political power, especially after the outbreak of civil war in December 2013. Were President Kiir was from the Dinka tribe and the leader of the rebel group SPLM/A In Opposition, Riek Machar, was from the Nuer tribe. Hence, the two groups compete in many different spheres in society.

The non-state conflict between Dinka and Nuer was first included in UCDP data in 1997. In November that year, clashes in Gedaref state resulted in at least 35 battle-related deaths.