A three-day peace conference in Tonj South County of Warrap State has ended with calls for a massive disarmament exercise on armed civilians and accountability.
The conference which ended on Wednesday also resolved to ensure the free movement of civilians within the state banned the sale and brewing of harmful alcoholic drinks, and those found guilty be arrested and charged.
The return of stolen cattle to their rightful owners, restoration of culture, and firing squad for cattle raiders and those found guilty of murder were some of the resolutions.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj after the closing, Abuok Majok Ngok, a woman representative at the conference said the women were happy with the resolutions.
“The outcome of the peace conference was good, nothing wrong with the conference. Men are happy, women are happy and children are all happy,” she said. “Our Governor Aleu Ayieny and our commissioner Agor Malang are working for peace in our community and we are very happy.”
Achol Majok, the chairperson of Tonj South Women Association said, “We have all discussed everything and things have ended successfully. I thank our governor Aleu and our commissioner who managed to bring peace for us, we did not cultivate last year but we hope that we have a chance this year.”
A legislator, John Aru Chikom, said disarmament is an urgent issue saying conflicts will be reduced.
“We resolved that the problem is caused by random guns which are carried by unlawful civilians, we resolved that these rifles should be collected back to the rightful people like the army and police,” Chikom said. “We also resolved that the national government should increase water points because water points are the other issue in Tonj South forcing the cattle keepers into conflict.”
The conference brought about 300 participants from the communities of Apuk Jewiir, Thony, Muok, and Yar and was supported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) under the theme; ‘Enhancing law for peaceful coexistence.