Cooperatives cultivating ‘A spirit of oneness’ peace in South Sudan.

“Cooperatives have enabled the South Sudanese to improve their livelihoods, but at the same time also contributed to the economy… this is the only way for South Sudan to move out of poverty”, said Louis Bagare project manager of cooperatives at the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) in South Sudan. He was speaking ahead of the International Day of Cooperatives, which is celebrated every 05^th. July, and which highlights how cooperatives enable people to provide for their basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone is insufficient.

Within one year, a maize and sorghum cooperative of 20 members in the Central Equatorial State of South Sudan had grown to over 150 members allowing many members to boost their income and provide for their families for the first time.

For over a decade, South Sudan have faced many intersecting challenges. Following its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out, concluding in 2018 with a peace agreement. But this peace is more fragile than ever. Looting and intercommunal violence, mainly perpetrated by young people, continues to be an ever-present concern for many communities which already face catastrophic food insecurity and continual climate shocks. “Cooperatives really changed the mindset of our people and brought stability to the country”, said Deng William Achiek, director for rural producers in South Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.

In addition to providing a model of democratic governance, cooperatives also enable economic growth and development, providing communities — especially young people — a viable and sustainable alternative to looting. “When, youths are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not have the interest to pick a gun to go and fight or to rob and loot”, Mr. Bagare said.

In South Sudan, the communities which form cooperatives often do not have enough individual resources to maintain a sustainable livelihood, a reality which pushes youth towards violent looting for survival. “When community members work together, fostering collective ideas & resources, it is much easier for them to overcome their livelihood challenges”, Mr. Bagare said.

Mr. Bagare also explained that banks are more willing to invest in groups and organizations like FAO are more likely to provide support to cooperatives. But ultimately, the goal is that this will not be long-term. “The focus is on building their capacity so that they can be able to create lives”, Mr. Bagare said.

In South Sudan, there are cooperatives of every shape and size. Overwhelmingly, these cooperatives are agricultural but some also produce soap, bread and textiles. The history of South Sudan is populated with examples of this type of work.

“Cooperatives are not something which has come from nowhere. It has been part of the culture of South Sudan”, Mr. Bagare said. He referred to the “golden era” of cooperatives which existed before the civil war in 2011. He said that his office within the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is working diligently to get back to that time. Mr. Bagare hopes for a future in South Sudan where cooperatives become a part of every economic sector — not just agriculture.

“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But the moment that we continue to only fight with each other, we will continue to destroy ourselves”.

Team Maverick