The Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) office in Western Bahr el Ghazal State has urged the Western Bahr el Ghazal and Warrap State governments to engage in dialogue to restore peaceful coexistence between the belligerent communities along their common border.
The call comes two days after violence broke out in Achong Chong Boma of Jur River County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State, particularly in Manyang and Tharkueng areas, in which more than 10 people were reported killed, including a humanitarian aid worker.
The fighting involved the community of Apuk Giir Thiik from Warrap State and the Marial Bai section.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, the Western Bahr el Ghazal State CEPO coordinator, Stephen Robo Musa, said they are concerned about the violence and called for dialogue.
“As CEPO, we are concerned about the latest developments in Manyang between the communities of Apuk Giir and Wan-Bai which point to instability and fighting. As such, insecurity continues while the country is heading for general elections,” he said. “We are calling on all actors and the administrations of the two states to adopt a social solution through dialogue so that there is no need to keep fighting over the land ownership.”
“We are calling on the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states to resolve the border conflicts because people are now fleeing their home areas,” Robo added.
According to Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom, the two governors met and resolved to deploy the army to contain the violence.
“The leaders of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal agreed on a way forward to mitigate the recent conflict in Manyang. One of the resolutions is an additional deployment of SSPDF in Manyang, along the highways, and inside Wau town,” he explained. “The second resolution of the security meeting is to conduct a public rally and a dialogue to be held when the situation is calm. The two communities are going to be brought together and the leaders of the two states and areas politicians will also be engaged to dialogue and pass messages of peace to their communities.”
“The army was sent the de-escalate the tension and as of Monday, the situation in the area is normal and under full control of SSPDF, and traffic has resumed,” Minister Wol added.