March 16, 2011 — The term “tribe” has no consistent meaning. It carries misleading historical and cultural assumptions. Tribal conflicts have weathered South Sudan’s history for many years and a complex tribal justice system has arisen as a result. Although today illiteracy eradication and development projects have played an important role in reducing tribal disputes, much remains to be done by the government to address longstanding truces and other unresolved tribal arguments.Much of the violence took place along ethnic lines.
Tribal custom dictates that every member of a tribe must participate in any war against it or be renounced by it, whatever the reasons of the war.Thus, no member hesitates to take part in tribal conflict, even if he does not believe in the reasons of the conflict. Some tribal conflicts happen because of a dispute over a land while others are caused by revenge killing,and abduction can also be a trigger.Political leaders have good reason to advance an ethnic conflict analysis, since it helps shift the focus away from their own role in events. While ethnic divisions don’t generally erupt spontaneously in conflict, they can be manipulated by those seeking to gain or maintain power.