Rebel soldiers who have stopped fighting and turned into fishermen say that they have made good profits in a booming market for fish in the Akobo area in eastern South Sudan.
The former soldiers at Nyandit Payam say that there is high demand for fish in parts of the neighboring Gambella Region of Ethiopia and other areas of Jonglei State controlled by the rebels. They typically split and dry the fish to preserve them for a long time so that they can be taken to market.
Gatwech, who abandoned military service in early April 2014, said he joined the fishing industry late last year and has since earned enough money to be able to construct three grass houses in Akobo town, own a small shop and send his 12 years old child to school in Ethiopia.
He said that he fishes along the river that flows northward from the Pibor Administrative Area (PAA) across the greater Akobo area to the border with Ethiopia.
Gatwech noted that the industry would do even better if they had more fishing boats and nets. He urged the local NGO Nile Hope Development Forum to support livelihoods by giving them boats for catching fish and transporting them to more distant markets.
Photo: Ex-soldiers turned fishermen prepare their dried fish for market in the Akobo area