A group of youth and chiefs from the Greater Pibor Administrative Area (GPAA) facilitated by the NGO Peace Canal are in Rumbek, Lakes State, for an exchange visit.
The 18-member team, accompanied by four Peace Canal staff, arrived in Rumbek on Wednesday.
Jacob Lokucho, the GPAA peace and reconciliation chairperson, told Radio Tamazuj that they are in Rumbek to share experiences on how to sustain peaceful coexistence with Rumbek.
“We came from GPAA with youth and chiefs to come and visit Lakes State youths and peace stakeholders. It is a very good initiative for the Murle and Lakes State youth to interact on peace activities,” he said. “This is a very fruitful exchange visit, and I wish it continues. We shall hold hands to end the bloodshed and live in peace in South Sudan.”
Meanwhile, Peace Canal’s area advisor in Rumbek, Mabor Kau Akec, said the Murle youth chose Lakes State to learn from because the state used to grapple with conflict and resultant fighting.
“It is very great to share experiences, and we are happy that the Murle youth are in Rumbek for a second time. They chose Rumbek as a good place to learn from,” he said. “So, we are very happy, and we thank the government of Lakes State and the GPAA government for allowing this important function to take place in Lakes State.”
On his part, the minister of local government and law enforcement agencies in Lakes State, Chol Kuotwil Manhom, said it is great that Murle youth can learn from Lakes State, which until recently experienced sectional conflicts.
“It is nice that we are here with our brothers from GPAA who came for a study visit to compare notes with their counterparts in Lakes State about how peace can be achieved,” he said. “Lakes State has now overcome some of their internal and cross-border issues and is now peaceful. They have come to share ideas with us, and I am here to welcome them on behalf of the governor of Lakes State.”
“We are happy to be chosen by our brothers for this very important study visit,” he added.