A peace and reconciliation forum began on Monday between feuding communities of Akop, Marial-Lou and Rualbet in Tonj North County of the proposed Tonj State, a local administrator said.

The peace and reconciliation effort was initiated by the state government in collaboration with traditional leaders in the area. Although there has been conflict between communities for years, local officials blame the recent violence on politicians seeking to enflame tensions. Some residents in Tonj have called for the reversal of President Kiir’s decision to change the number of states from 10 to 28.

Gang Mading, a local government official in Marial-Lou payam, told Radio Tamazuj that a police force will be deployed on borders secure the region.

Mading said that over 120 people have been killed from inter-communal conflicts in the area since January.

The forum also adopted tough penalties against cattle raiding, Mading said, and urged humanitarian organizations to provide food and tents to the population.

Related:

Official: Over 1000 families displaced by Tonj North clan violence  (10 Jun.)