A three-day peace conference concluded in Kajo-Keji County of Yei River State on Tuesday with calls for peace, reconciliation and accountability for the forest logging activities in several villages.
Hundreds of people, who included local community leaders, religious leaders, soldiers from both the government and the opposition SPLA-IO and local officials from Liwolo, Kangapo, Nyepo and Kajo-Keji counties attended the conference.
The state information minister, Moses Mawa said the conference was fruitful and provided the path of peace and development in the county.
He revealed that the community leaders advocated for an end to violence and negative war propaganda in the greater Kajo-Keji County.
“The community called for an end to war propaganda going on in camps in the greater Kajo-Keji areas. They appealed to all those sending negative propaganda to stop because security has improved and life is going on well in all the counties,” said Mawa.
The community also lauded the cordial working relationship between government and SPLA-IO forces which has ensured peace ever since the revitalized peace deal was signed in 2018, he noted.
Meanwhile, Mawa said the locals called for an end to illegal forest logging and that accountability be provided immediately.
“The greater Kajo-Keji community is concerned about forest logging in their areas, which is causing negative impact on citizens’ lives and called on the international community to investigate individuals involved in forest logging in the area,” he stressed.
In June, local authorities in Kajo-Keji issued a local order banning illegal logging of government, private and all natural forest reserves.