The second peace conference involving Dinka Padang, such as Pandang Thuigok, Padang Ngok of Ruweng Administrative Area, and Misseriya and Nuba from neighbouring Sudan, concluded in Pariang town of Pariang County on Thursday.
Isaac Mayar Malual, the Acting Deputy Director for the Peace and Reconciliation Commission in Ruweng Administrative Area, told Radio Tamazuj on Friday that more than 60 people from the two communities attended the conference, with 40 participants from Dinka Pandang Ngok and 20 from Misseriya and Nubian communities.
“This conference brought together Misseriya and Dinka Padang chiefs, women, and youth to engage in a dialogue on how they can coexist along the border,” Mayar said.
The purpose of the conference between the three communities was to address issues that have affected the two sisterly communities, including those in Unity State.
“The second conference aimed to facilitate the free movement of cattle keepers and business people between Unity State and Ruweng Administrative Area, extending to areas along the border with Sudan. Participants included people from the border regions,” revealed Mayar.
The conference, which took place from December 5th to December 7th, brought together 60 participants from both Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities.
Misseriya and Nuba communities typically migrate during the dry season to Ruweng Administrative Area and Unity State in search of water and pastures, leading to occasional clashes with Dinka Padang and Nuer in Bentiu.
Mayar highlighted the challenges faced by Misseriya, stating, “What I have heard from the Sudanese Misseriya is that some people attack them at the grazing areas, loot, and kill at will. These are pressing issues.”
He further mentioned that Dinka Panang has accused Misseriya of killing their people when grazing cattle in Ruweng Administrative Area. “We discussed concrete resolutions on how best we can forge a better understanding, given that we have been living for centuries at the border,” he added.
Mayar emphasized the efforts of the Ruweng Administrative Area and South Kordofan governments in building strong ties to promote peaceful coexistence among their communities.
Santo Kat Nyok, a participant from the two conferences, expressed, “We attended the two conferences in Pariang town to address common conflicts at the border between South Sudan and Sudan. The community has agreed to collaborate for peace and reconciliation between the two countries.”
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