A peace and reconciliation conference between the neighboring communities of South Sudan’s Kapoeta State and Kenya’s Turkana County is expected to begin on Wednesday, officials said.

In September, at least 16 people were killed, others injured and an unknown number of cattle raided in Losolia County of Kapoeta State after a cattle raid by a group from Kenya’s Turkana County.

Losolia County Commissioner Koetein Thomas told Radio Tamazuj on Sunday he would lead a 20-person delegation to Lokichoggio to attend the conference.

He said the conference will discuss past and present grievances among the Toposa and Turkana communities and seek common solutions for peaceful coexistence.

Thomas said the communities will also seek to permit each other cross into the other’s territory for water and pasture without conflict.

He further called on the youth from both communities to uphold resolutions to be agreed upon during the conference for peace to prevail.

The Toposa community of South Sudan and Turkana of Kenya have been involved in a protracted conflict caused by cattle raids and a dispute over water sources.