SUMMARY

The Bor Dinka and the Mundari have a long history of peaceful co-existence interrupted with periods of conflict over foremost land and cattle rustling. The two groups have a lot in common and intermarriage between the groups as well as sharing pasture has been part of their history. Both of the groups are pastoralists but speak different languages. During colonial times the relationship between the two groups was good and the croup co-existed in the same area. The main reason for this was agreements between their chiefs. After the first civil war in Sudan ended in 1972 Bor Dinka and the Mundari relation deteriorated, partly due to the increased number of Dinka cattle in the area. In 1983 the Southern Sudan was divided into three distinct sub-regions a step that upset the Dinkas but was supported by the Mundari. This further worsened the relationship between the groups and at this time the Mundaristarted to form militia groups.

The second civil war started in 1983 and reached the Mundari area in 1986 with a devastating effect on Mundari-Dinka relations. SPLM/A was seen as a Dinka movement by the Mundari and fighting took place between the SPLM/A and Mundari elements. Also, human rights violations were committed by the SPLM/A against Mundari civilians. These violations targeted the Mundari more than other neighboring groups and the reason for this is believed to be the Mundari part in the division of South Sudan. Throughout the 1980s the relationship between the Mundari and Dinka increased and one reason for this was that the SPLM/A decreased its abuses against the Mundari population. At the end of the decade some Mundari were part of the SPLM/A but the group was divided in their relation to the Dinka with some having much less trust in the Dinka than others. This division could be seen that in the 1980s and 1990s some Mundari were fighting for the SPLM/A whilst others were fighting for the Government of Sudan. Since the end of the second civil war in Sudan through the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005 the relations between the groups have been non-violent. However, the tension between the group has remained strong due to grazing, land as well as Mundari grievance over being excluded from power-positions both at the state level and in the capital of South Sudan, Juba.

The non-state conflict between the Bor Dinka and the Mundari is first included in UCDP data in 2009. In October that year fighting in Central Equatoria State resulted in over 30 battle-related deaths.