Rumbek Central is composed of six payams, namely, Rumbek Town, Matangai, Amongpiny, Mayom, Jiir and Malek. It is the most populated county in Lakes State and the center of all social services and state government administration. Additionally, it is the center of commercial activities and is inhabited by diverse ethnic groups as well as foreign workers and business people. According to the recent population census report, there are 153,550 people living in Rumbek Central, of which 83,014 are men and 70,536 are women.⁵ The dominant ethnic groups in the area are the Dinka and the Agar.

Water is scarce across the county due to the limited number of water points. Women walk four hours a day to fetch water during the dry season and violence is common. Approximately 250 people use one hand pump as their primary water source services. Payams bordering Wulu, Cuiebet and Unity State do not have an adequate police force with the necessary communication and transport systems to respond immediately to violence issues. There is an apparent lack of essential drugs and healthcare workers, resulting in a high level of maternal mortality and malaria deaths. Food insecurity is a major issue, as the 2024 yield was inadequate. The lack of teachers in schools has led to low enrolment rates.

The main source of insecurity and conflict in the county is ethnic clashes that are non-political and locally based. These conflicts recur, largely because of the seasonal migrations of cattle herders moving to grazing lands and river points, thus affecting the productivity of local pastoralists. The areas most affected are the payams bordering Cuiebet, Unity State, and Wulu Counties (these are primarily Amongpiny, Mayom, and Malek payams). Key sources of conflict include cattle rustling, border and grazing land disputes, and the presence of guns in the area. In the group discussions conducted, participants highlighted the issue of revenge attacks among youth from other communities, especially when