The Importance of the Amiet Peace Market

The Amiet Peace Market, in the Abyei administrative area, was established through inter-community dialogue co-facilitated by Concordis in 2016.

Both the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka communities came to an agreement that they needed to trade with one another, and through facilitated dialogue reached a consensus on the place and structure that would enable that to happen peacefully.

Today, the market is a trading hub not just between the two communities but for international trade between Sudan and South Sudan. It provides a reason to keep the peace and ensures that doing so is profitable for both sides. When violence forces the market to close, trade stops and food prices go up, not just in Abyei but hundreds of miles away.

For women from both groups, the market is a principal means of livelihood security. Ngok Dinka women in particular repeatedly reference the market as a solid source of revenue and affordable food, with opportunities to head up businesses such as shops and restaurants. It is estimated that up to 10,000 people use the market each day.

Photo Credit: Radio Tamazuj

Amiet Peace Market creates livelihoods, including for women and young people, supporting nearly 3,000 shops and restaurants and 760 wholesale stores for international trade from as far away as Darfur, Ethiopia and Eritrea.