Glossary

Administrative divisions: South Sudan is divided into the following administrative divisions, in order of descending size: state, county, payam, boma. A boma, the smallest administrative unit, is equivalent to one village. There are 10 states and 79 counties.

Cattle: Cattle carry significant social, economic, and cultural importance for South Sudan’s cattle-keeping ethnic groups. Cows are often given as bride wealth, blood compensation for homicide, and in compensation for a variety of other wrongs. The monetary equivalent of a cow is approximately US$300.

Child/children: Individuals under 18 are referred to as “children,” in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and South Sudan’s Child Act.

Condemned: Sentenced to death.

Classification of prisons: South Sudan Prisons Service classifies prisons as “central,” “state,” or “county” prisons. There are central prisons in Juba, Malakal, Wau, Rumbek, Yambio, Bor, Aweil, and Tonj. There are state prisons in Kuajok, Bentiu, and Torit. There are county prisons in most of South Sudan’s 79 counties. There are also small detention facilities in some payams.

Currency: In 2011, South Sudan changed currency from the Sudanese Pound (SDG) to the South Sudanese Pound (SSP). For the sake of simplicity, all local currency amounts are referred to simply as “pounds.” At the writing of the report, the official exchange rate was US$1=2.94 SSP.

Remand: A detained person who has not been convicted of a crime.

Southern Sudan/South Sudan: The research for this report spanned pre-independence and post-independence periods. On independence, the regional government of Southern Sudan became the government of the Republic of South Sudan. “Southern Sudan” is sometimes used when referring explicitly to the pre-independence period. Otherwise, “South Sudan” is used in all contexts.

SPLM/A: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army

UNMISS: United Nations Mission in South Sudan