County Name: Kajo-Keji County, Central Equatoria State
DEMOGRAPHY
2008 Census population: 196,387
2020 Population projection*: 221,902
Displacement Figures: 17,121 IDPS and 22,261 returnees (2019)
Major ethnic groups and languages: Kuku is the main ethnic group, but there is also a small minority of Lugbara
GOVERNANCE
New counties under 32-state formation: Nyepo, Kangapo, Liwolo and Kajo-Keji
Current County Commissioner: Amos Longa Modi
Government/Opposition Controlled:
ECONOMY & LIVELIHOODS
Residents engage predominantly in subsistence farming (39 percent) and livestock rearing (39 percent) for their livelihoods, with a small group also engaging in fishing (6 percent), according to a 2013 IOM assessment. The county, like others in the greenbelt, has significant amounts of arable land and high potential for agricultural development. The most popular crops grown are cassava, sorghum, groundnut and maize. However, as noted below, conflict and insecurity since 2016 has significantly impacted the food (in)security and economic stability of the county, increasing the vulnerability of the remaining population. The presence of migrating cattle herds, particularly from Jonglei State, has led to tensions with the local population in recent years, with no apparent sign of resolution. Residents in Kajo-Keji (and Juba County) clashed with Dinka Bor cattle keepers and SPLA soldiers accompanying them in at least two incidences in early 2015, over destruction of crops and competition for grazing land. In a 2013 IOM survey, livestock herders in Kajo-Keji cited disease as a major problem affecting their livelihoods (22 percent), followed by market facilities (20 percent) and water (19 percent). In addition, 17 percent cited conflict and 15 percent cited grazing land as issues. Insecurity on roads leading out of Kajo-Keji to other major markets, such as Juba, has also impacted the ability of community members to maintain their livelihoods. IPC Projection: Kajo-keji County was classified as “stressed” during IPC projections calculated for the September-December 2019 period. However, this is anticipated to increase to “crisis” levels in early 2020, according to the latest IPC projections. This represents a marked change in food security levels since early 2016, when arable land, proximity to the international market (e.g. high-quality seed imports) and lack of large-scale violence contributed to the relatively low level of food insecurity in this county. Conflict in 2016 had led to increased displacement in the county and neighboring areas, thereby increasing food insecurity. Additionally, this context has decreased levels of resilience observed for the area, making it one of the most vulnerable counties in the country as a result.
INFRASTRUCTURE and SERVICES
CONFLICT BACKGROUND
While Kajo-Keji was largely spared from large-scale violence as part of the national conflict that broke out in Juba in 2013, it has been impacted significantly since the second outbreak of conflict in 2016. As a result, the county has experienced significant displacement and insecurity, which has in turn hindered livelihoods of community members in the area. Those who were displaced from Kajo-Keji primarily fled to Uganda as refugees, due to the county’s proximity to the international border. The increase in insecurity has also led to a subsequent increase in severity levels of GBV, as noted by the GBV sub-cluster in South Sudan. Prior to 2016, there were ongoing intercommunal conflicts, the motives for which are not always clear. There was at least one case of intercommunal violence linked to religious discrimination. Lack of police capacity and effective legal infrastructure means that this and other local conflicts are prone to mob justice. In May 2015 around 80 residents of Jalimo Boma allegedly forced a family to leave their village, accusing the father of witchcraft. Some members of the family subsequently sought protection at police headquarters. Police, however, declined to investigate or get involved, citing their own fear of the mob. In addition, disagreements with the Moyo community, of neighboring Uganda, over border demarcation remains a flashpoint. In September 2014, tensions over land rights erupted into a deadly conflict which killed dozens on both sides of the border. Many Kuku peoples had also been living on the Ugandan side of the border, some for decades. The conflict resulted in an influx of approximately 15,000 South Sudanese returnees into Kajo-Keji by November 2014.
The county has a significant Christian population and is home to the Kajo-Keji Christian College.
GEOGRAPHY & LOGISTICS
Payams (10 state formation): Kangapo I, Kangapo II, Lire, Liwolo, Nyepo Main roads: A primary road running north to Juba County, west to Yei County and south to the border with Uganda. The road north to Juba is open to trailers (>20 metric tons) all season within Kajo-Keji County, but the conditions deteriorate as it enters Juba County and is only open to trucks (<20 metric tons) in dry season. The road west to Yei is open to only trucks (<20 metric tons) and in the dry season. The road south to the border with Uganda is open to all vehicles in all seasons. A secondary road runs east to Eastern Equatoria State, with the closest town being Pageri, Magwi County. The road is passable only in the dry season, and conditions for specific vehicles are unknown. All season fixed wing air-strips: Kajo Keiji
REPORTS on KAJO-KEJI
Fegley, R. (2009). Local Needs and Agency Conflict: A Case Study of Kajo Keji County, South Sudan. Retrieved from http://asq.africa.ufl.edu/files/Fegley-V11Is1.pdf