South Sudan’s Warrap State, home to President Salva Kiir, has approved a law authorizing the use of lethal force against individuals involved in cattle raiding, revenge killings, and other criminal activities.

The decision, reached during a meeting of the Warrap State Council of Ministers chaired by Governor Kuol Muor Muor, is part of an effort to restore law and order in the state, which has been plagued by chronic communal conflicts and cattle theft.

The Conflict Resolution and Sustainable Development Bill 2024, also known as the Green Book, was unanimously endorsed by the council members. The bill, which now awaits approval by the State Transitional Legislative Assembly, aims to address the root causes of violence in Warrap State, including land disputes, unilateral naming of other people’s places, kidnapping of girls, forced marriage and adultery, and competition for limited resources such as water and pastures for cattle.

Under the new law, individuals found guilty of cattle raiding or revenge killings will be sentenced to death by firing squad. Those caught with illegal firearms will face fines and up to seven years in prison, while those who illegally rename ancestral land will be fined, jailed for three years, and forced to adhere to local customs.

The Green Book also includes provisions for punishing military or law enforcement personnel who participate in intercommunal conflicts. Those found guilty will be jailed for three years and dismissed from their units.

The approval of the shoot-to-kill law has sparked mixed reactions. Human rights activists have condemned the measure, arguing that it amounts to extrajudicial killings. Others have welcomed the law, citing the need to curb the violence that has plagued Warrap State for years.

The conflict has had a devastating impact on the state’s economy, disrupting agricultural activities and causing widespread displacement.

The Warrap State government hopes that the Green Book will help to restore peace and stability to the region.