Cooperatives Cultivating Peace and Unity in South Sudan

Involving young people in South Sudan in farming activities may prevent them from taking up arms.

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

“Cooperatives are a system that enables South Sudanese to improve their livelihoods and at the same time contribute to the economy. This is the only way for South Sudan to move out of poverty,” said Louis Bagare, project manager for cooperatives at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in South Sudan.

He was speaking ahead of the International Day of Cooperatives, celebrated every 5 July, which highlights how cooperatives enable people to meet basic needs in contexts where individuals working alone is insufficient.

In South Sudan, the potential of cooperatives extends beyond economic empowerment.

“Cooperatives are one of the avenues that can bring peace and stability to South Sudan,” said Mr. Bagare.

For over a decade, South Sudan has faced many intersecting challenges. Following its independence in 2011, a civil war broke out and concluded in 2018 with a peace agreement — but that peace remains fragile.

Looting and intercommunal violence, mainly involving youth, continue to threaten communities already facing catastrophic food insecurity and climate shocks.

In this context, cooperatives provide a ray of hope.

“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.

Cooperatives are voluntary economic organisations in which members share risk, labour, and income.

“A cooperative is a democratic, social association of people who, as individuals, cannot improve their standard of living. But once they come together in a cooperative, they can raise their living standards,” said Oneil Yosia Damia, Director-General for Cooperative Development in South Sudan.

FAO’s Louis Bagare believes this democratic approach to local governance could inspire broader national democratic participation.

Beyond democratic benefits, cooperatives also drive economic growth, offering communities — especially young people — a sustainable alternative to looting.

“When youth are engaged in productive activities that generate income, they will not be interested in picking up a gun or looting,” said Mr. Bagare.

In South Sudan, individuals often lack sufficient resources to maintain sustainable livelihoods, pushing many toward violence for survival.

“When community members work together, when they pool ideas and resources, it becomes much easier for them to overcome livelihood challenges,” he added.

Mr. Bagare also explained that banks are more willing to invest in groups, and organisations like FAO are more likely to support cooperatives. But ultimately, the goal is long-term self-sufficiency.

“The focus is on building their capacity so they can create sustainable lives,” Mr. Bagare said.

South Sudan is home to cooperatives of all kinds. Most are agricultural, but some also produce soap, bread, and textiles. The country’s history includes many such efforts.

“Cooperatives are not something new. They have been part of South Sudanese culture,” said Mr. Bagare.

Mr. Damia referred to the “golden era” of cooperatives before the 2011 civil war and said his office is working to revive that spirit.

“I want our cooperatives to be as busy as bees. This is the spirit of oneness, of unity,” Mr. Damia said.

Mr. Bagare hopes for a future where cooperatives become embedded in every economic sector, not just agriculture.

“If we are able to work together, we can become better people tomorrow. But if we continue to fight among ourselves, we will only keep destroying ourselves.”