Aweil West: Dinka Malual, Rizeigat peace conference ends in stalemate over differences

Participants at the conference. (Radio Tamazuj photo)

The Dinka Malual, Luo and Rizeigat communities last week concluded a five-day cattle pre-migration peace conference in Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, without signing resolutions due to differences from the Rezigat side.

The Dinka Malual, Luo and Rizeigat communities last week concluded a five-day cattle pre-migration peace conference in Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, without signing resolutions due to differences from the Rezigat side.

Rizeigat delegates were said to have failed to participate over internal differences following the killing of its former chairperson, Mohamud Sadiq in January this year. 

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Friday, Tong Garang Director-General at the State Ministry of Peace Building said the parties have rescheduled to sign the agreement next year.

“Yes, the conference has concluded today (Friday) and a few of the Rizeigat members have come to witness the conference resolutions. The recommendations were not signed because the Rizeigat part didn’t show up and Dinka Malual have also not signed the items,” Garang said.

Anguei Noon Atak, Chairperson of the Dinka Malual Border Peace Committee, said they have sent a list of their blood compensation demands to Rizeigat Paramount Chief Mahmud Musa Madibo in Sudan’s Eastern Darfur State.

“Dinka Malual have sent a list of their demands (blood compensations) to the Rizeigat paramount chief Mahmud Musa Madibo and nothing was discussed during the conference except the repatriation of the stolen cows, goats and much more to the Rizeigat,” he said.

But Noon stated that all their demands were not discussed because Rizeigat community leaders did not show up at the conference   

Speaking on behalf of the donor organizations, Ngong Deng, project officer for the Coalition for Humanity, said the donors should redouble their efforts to help communities in South Sudan and the ones across the borders between Sudan and South Sudan.

“We are looking forward to the donors to work very hard so that we restore peace among the communities within and also at the borders between South Sudan and Sudan,” he added.

The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Coalition for Humanity (CH) were among the organizations that funded the conference.