Small arms and cattle-raiding in southern Sudan — in pictures

Dawn at a cattle camp in Tonj East, Warrap state. Cattle-raiding has a long history in southern Sudan, but the increased proliferation of small arms left over from the civil war has led to the raids becoming more violent
Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

The value of cattle in terms of wealth and status can cause drawn-out conflicts, and cattle-raiding is a major cause of death, injury and displacement in southern Sudan Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

Dry season in Tonj East, Warrap state. In the dry season, a lack of water points can cause conflict. By the end of the dry season, as grazing grounds diminish and water becomes even scarcer, violence between cattle-herding groups increases Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

A cattle keeper guards his cattle with an AK-47. Cattle-raiding between the states of Warrap, Unity and Lakes is a continuous threat to security for local communities and a major threat to life and livelihoods Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

The South Sudan police service lacks training and equipment, and has limited capacity to protect local communities.  In particular, it lacks the mobility to reach remote cattle camps so mobile police posts and a 'livestock patrol unit' have been set up along cattle migration routes to address the problem in Jonglei state Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

Cattle herders take it upon themselves to protect their animals and their communities. There is no shortage of weapons - as a result of the civil war and southern Sudan’s porous borders with countries where weapons are easily available. One of these men was killed protecting his cattle the day after this photo was taken Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

A child lies in a rural hospital with a gunshot wound. Women and children are frequently victims of violent cattle raids: recently, there has been an increase in night attacks by cattle raiders on tents where women and children are sleeping Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

Weapons collected from civilians in Jonglei state. Some disarmament campaigns have been conducted forcefully by the armed forces and in these cases the disarmed communities have quickly re-armed for self-protection. However, public campaigns are raising awareness about voluntary civilian disarmament Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

A lack of safe storage means weapons sometimes end up back in circulation and in civilian possession, but progress is being made in ensuring that there are more safer storage facilities, such as this one in Jonglei state Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld

Nightfall at a cattle camp. Armed cattle-raiding is just one example of southern Sudan’s many internal conflicts, but the widespread availability of weapons makes finding ways of preventing conflict and insecurity essential if the country is to meet its broader development needs Photograph: Pete Muller /Saferworld