Twelve community representatives of Imatong signed a reconciliation agreement on Sunday in Ikwoto County, located in Eastern Equatoria State, which Salva Kiir has sought to divide.
Imatong State is one of two successor states that Kiir has proposed take the place of Eastern Equatoria.
The peace dialogue in Ikwoto (Ikotos) was organized by religious leaders with the Government of Imatong State Nartisio Loluke Manir together with intellectuals of Ikwoto County. The event was supported by the Catholic Diocese of Torit and Caritas Torit through its justice and peace program.
At the closing ceremony, Chief Joseph Okwing Ben said, “With this we leave everything and open a new page. With this we pray God to assist all the eight communities to adhere to our own signatures which we have done now.”
Government officials, representatives of other political parties and army commanders also attended.
For his part, the governor said, “We have concluded the conference… which brought all the constituencies, the communities, of the county together here in Iwoto… more than a thousand people who attended this important occasion for three days.”
“The aim is really for us to realize peace and security in the state. The communities, the intellectuals, the MPs have not been in harmony, but as we conclude this very historic and important conference, the communities have resolved, the politicians have resolved to stay in harmony,” said the governor.
The outcomes of the peace dialogue, which began 11 February and continued until 13 February at St. Joseph Center in Ikwoto, included mutual commitment for peace and security, renunciation of hatred and division among MPs and politicians of Ikwoto.
The county and some neighboring areas have experienced some acts of looting and violence over cattle which increased insecurity in the area.
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