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RUMBEK NORTH - 30 Oct 2020

Pakam community resolves to coexist peacefully in Toch wetlands

The Pakam community of Rumbek North county of Lakes State has in a two-day pre-dialogue conference resolved to live peacefully amongst themselves and the neighboring Rup community. 

The cattle migration conference was organized by the Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF) to enhance peace during the anticipated dry season for the pastoralists in the Lolmanyiel wetlands (Toch).

Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, the Paramount Chief of Pakam community Mathiang Ater Chier said the cattle migration conference had resolved to coexist peacefully among each other and with the neighboring Rup community.

"We have agreed on important resolutions to reconcile, unite and coexist peacefully as one Pakam community of Rumbek North County," he said. 

Ater urges the Pakam community to cease intercommunal hostilities between themselves and their neighboring communities to allow development to take place in Rumbek North county.

Hon. Marik Nanga Marik, a representative of the Rumbek North community in Lakes State legislative assembly thanked the community of Pakam for the willingness to accept peaceful coexistence between neighboring communities and among themselves.

"Now it has been resolved that the Pakam community should get united, and move back to Rumbek North for reconciliation and unity," he said. 

The South Sudan Peacebuilding Opportunities Fund (POF) area adviser, Mabor Kau Akec said they will ensure that peace is a priority in the community.

He said the two-days cattle migration pre-dialogue conference of Pakam was a fruitful discussion with a resolution aimed at peaceful coexistence, unity, and reconciliation of communities that are in conflicts with the Pakam community and Pakam community themselves.

The chairman of the subcommittee for peaceful and voluntarily disarmament Benjamin Makuer Mabor appreciated the resolutions and urged the Pakam community to make peace with their neighbor, the Rup community of Rumbek Central County.

"It is prohibited by the government of Lakes State to allow anyone carrying firearms to cross to Lolmanyiel wetlands during the coming season of cattle migration," Makuer said in his closing remarks.

He urged youth groups that still carrying illegal firearms to peacefully hand over the firearms to the disarmament committee.

"Also this Pakam community cattle migration conference had resolved that all the murderers who are at large must be apprehended and arrested, Pakam community to coexist peacefully and reconcile with one another and with the neighboring community of Rup," said Makuer.

Over 100 participants attended the conference including Pakam community chiefs, gelwong youth leaders, parliamentarians, intellectuals, youth, and politicians.