Representatives of the Agar and Gok communities in Cuiebet, Rumbek Centre, and Rumbek North counties in Lakes state attended a two-day conflict management training last week.
The training was organized by the Disabled Agency for Rehabilitation Development (DARD) and supported by OXFAM, UNMISS civil affairs, and the state ministry of peace-building.
DARD program officer, Angelina Adhel Malual urged the peace committees of the three counties to explore dialogue and other non-violent means of resolving conflicts.
She also urged the representatives to report any early warning signs of community violence to relevant authorities.
“If there is anything that has become difficult for you, please inform us because you are the eyes of the community and you are the bridge between the government, community, and organizations,” she said.
Zechariah Kuoi, the state peacebuilding ministry’s director-general said the training which brought together county administrators, youth, and ministry official was a great opportunity for them to start dialogue within themselves.
“The training was fantastic and we discussed a lot of things about conflict mitigation and management that have emerged in our communities all along,” he stated. “We have finished successfully and they agreed to go back to implement what they have agreed for the last two days.”
According to him, the representatives agreed to cease cattle raids saying it causes insecurity and costs lives.
A team leader for the community joint peace committee, Malual Makoi appreciated DARD, OXFAM, UNMISS, and the peacebuilding ministry for organizing the training.
“We have learned a lot. Since we connected last year, cattle raiding activities have reduced and there is free movement of people and goods in the two counties of Agar and Gok,” he said. ” We have now learned about what conflicts are and types of conflict and we have learned signs and symptoms of conflicts and how to resolve them.”