A three-day intergenerational peace conference kicked off in Lopit West in Eastern Equatoria State’s Imehejek Administrative Area on Friday with calls on communities to accept change for total peace to prevail in the area.
The conference which aims to bring peace and restore coexistence attracted over 500 hundred people from the two Payams of Longiro and Bule of Lopit West in
Pasquale Atari, the chairperson of the organizing committee, said the conference is to address and restore peace and unity hindered by ongoing inter-communal conflicts and insecurity.
“The purpose of this conference under the theme “Together we build a brighter Lopit West” which is the area called Lopit West which is inhabited by people from Tabwor, Lohitojio up to Lohidomook,” he said. “A lot has happened here in Lopit West and we lost lives because of the evil that might have come to the area. The purpose of this conference is to bring peaceful coexistence among the communities living in Lopit West. We want to build restoration and preserve lives.”
For his part, Oromo Mathew, the Imehejek Area administrator, urged the communities to clean their hearts and unite in fighting enemies of progress for durable peace.
“I have been using intergenerational conferences to bring peace in Lopit and we were able to get the fruits that made us exist up to this time,” he stated. “We are trying to make this area peaceful so that can collect revenue because you cannot collect taxes in a war zone. We need to bring peace so that we can access far-flung areas. It is time for us to clean our houses.”
Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State Information Minister Elia John Ahaji, lauded the conference’s organizers for the initiative, saying it will pave the way for addressing grievances.
“We have come here to mourn our mistakes and then to chat a way forward. The day will only become colorful if we come up with beautiful resolutions, respect and implement them. The Government of Eastern Equatoria State is very happy with the organizers of the conference,” he said. “You cannot leave everything to the government and we are going to stand behind you. Let us deliberate with open hearts, with love, and with respect for one another. If we do not come here with open hearts, we hide those problems, we shall not come with meaningful resolutions.”
Angelo William Gerry, the state’s acting governor who is also the Minister of Animal Resources and Fisheries, advised the Lopit West communities to abide by the country’s constitution and fear God.
“People have died here and we can only overcome this when we obey the word of God. Lopit West will be great if we observe our constitution and strictly follow the rule of law and fear God,” he said. “Years of conflict prevented development in many areas in Eastern Equatoria State and we need to embark on production.”