A three-day peace and reconciliation conference in Terekeka County of Central Equatoria State has ended with calls for peace, the return of raided cattle to the rightful owners, and the opening of all roads in the area.
Community and cattle camp leaders signed the resolutions. A committee has been tasked to ensure the smooth implementation of the resolutions both at local and state levels.
Bishop Paul Modi of the Episcopal Diocese of Terekeka told Radio Tamazuj that the peace conference is a good step towards peace and reconciliation.
He says the cattle herders agreed to cease hostilities and peaceful return to re-settle in Terekeka County
“The conference ended well. It was agreed that the cattle raiders are identified and face justice on crimes committed. It also resolved that all the closed roads be open, all looted cattle be returned to the owners and those who crossed over to Lainya return and the cattle camp leaders agreed to carry out meetings and messages of peace and reconciliation but no more fighting,” he said.
"We should not kill because of cattle and we should not be seen as anti-peace and allow a chance for peace. The cattle should not be allowed to destroy crops and bad practices need to be abandoned and start a new chapter for peace and reconciliation as a community,"
Moses Pitia, the coordinator for Community Empowerment for Progress Organization in Terekeka County urged the government to ensure that all resolutions be implemented to avoid future violence.
He said, “The local authorities need to help in the implementation of these resolutions so that the cattle keepers don’t fight among themselves and no cattle keeper should take the law to kill or raid in Terekeka or any part of Central Equatoria State and the cattle keepers in Terekeka must respect the host communities.”
Communal conflicts and cattle raids in Terekeka County have leftover 50 people dead in December alone.
Key community leaders, religious and cattle camp leaders, youth, women, and intellectuals of Terekeka as well as key political leaders both at the state and national governments participated in the three days peace conference to end the conflict in the area.