The rival communities of the Gawar Nuer in Ayod County and their Lou Nuer neighbors have been reconciled during a peace dialogue held in the Paluony area of Jonglei State’s Uror County from 18 to 19 February.
The two-day event which brought together 158 county officials, youth, and chiefs from the rival groups came about amidst rising tensions caused by the killing of 24 people from both sides when the Lou Nuer attacked Ayod’s Pagil area on 17 February.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Tang Chatim, the Uror County commissioner, said the rival communities agreed to peacefully coexist.
“While we were for a peace conference to resolve feuds between Gawar and Lou Nuer communities, our youth attacked Pagil. We condemned the attack. So, it was resolved that there be a blood compensation for the victims of the attacks,” Commissioner Tang said. “We also agreed to arrest all of the suspects and recover all the cows stolen now and then.”
A youth leader, Stephen Gai Keat, said the meeting was fruitful and expressed optimism that it will help end conflicts among the two communities.
James Chuol Jiek, the Ayod County commissioner, also condemned the Pagil attack and said that he is working with his Uror counterpart to implement the resolutions of the Gawar-Lou peace dialogue.
“Over the past years, there have been tensions caused by criminal groups from both sides. So, we agreed to stop all the cattle raids, killings and we also resolved to arrest raiders. We also condemned the recent Pagil attack and convinced Gawar youth not to avenge but to allow the law takes its course,” he said.
For his part, Simon Manyok Deng, the head of the state human rights commission, applauded the move taken by the two communities as a good peace gesture.
“As the human rights commission, firstly, we condemned all the forms of violence in our communities,” Manyok said. “On Gawar-Lou peace dialogue, we welcome it because it shows that local populations have comprehended the values of peace and social interaction. So, as a government, we stand for such initiatives and encourage it.”