Two rival clans of the Lou Nuer community in Jonglei State’s Uror County on Tuesday agreed to put their differences aside and coexist peacefully during a peace conference in Yuai town.
On 30 September last year, bloody inter-communal fighting erupted between Cie-Muot and Cie-Bwoy clans of Wickol Payam, leaving six people dead and three others injured from both sides. Since then, relations between the two communities have been tense.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday evening, Machot Gatluak Kenyjak, the Uror County commissioner, said his administration came up with the peace and reconciliation initiative as part of the county government’s effort to promote social interaction among the locals and their neighbors.
“Four months ago, there was fighting between communities of Wek and Tiam areas. In this regard, we came up with an initiative to have these rival clans reconciled by holding a conference,” he said. “As such, a 3-day conference brought together elders, religious leaders, youth and women leaders, and chiefs from both aggrieved communities. Rituals were performed and the two sides agreed not to fight again.”
The official also pointed out that blood compensation for those killed or injured had been agreed upon, creating a stage for elders to perform rituals where representatives of the rival communities partake of a meal to symbolize reconciliation.
Maluith Chuol, an elder who attended the conference as an observer, said the event was fruitful.
“After the incident last year, a blood compensation process was initiated whereby the two communities exchanged cows in compensation for those killed or injured. However, there would be no peace if no ceremony is held for the aggrieved to speak out their grievances,” he explained. “In accordance with our custom, this event was held, bulls slaughtered, rituals performed, and the two sides ate the same food, signaling peace. There shall be no problem again. Blessings from elders is the guarantee.”