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near akot , south sudan : november 15 , 2005 . a young dinka man in a cattle camp in eastern rumbek , south sudan keeps his ak 47 close . this photo depicts the commonality of weaponry , even in remote cattle camps like this one . south sudan has endured generations of civil war a comprehensive peace agreement between the government of sudan in khartoum and the sudan peoples liberation movement ( splm ) was signed only in january 2005 . when i lived in south sudan in 2005 2006 , ordinary people men , women , and children carrying their ak 47s in the market or on the main road through town was a common sight . given this context , gunfights between men who had been drinking or among families during civil disputes were also " normal . " particularly in ethnic dinka areas , where dinka sub tribes traditionally clash , carrying ak 47s and other guns is a simple means of protection . at the time of this photo november 2005 the splm authorities in rumbek were conducting a demobilization campaign . just after i took this photo , this young man was disarmed and his ak 47 claimed by the local police commissioner for eastern rumbek county . i was surprised at how calmly the young man gave up his weapon . despite the targeted demobilization , guns remain common , especially in more rural areas . ? |
