The neighboring tribes of Dinka Malual and Rizeigat kicked off an annual peace conference on Monday in Aweil West County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal state. The conference is about migration issues, processes for dealing with crimes and other matters.
Mohamed Ali, deputy paramount chief of the Rizeigat tribe, which migrates seasonally into the state, thanked state goveremnt officials including the Minister of Local government and Border Relations Advisor Kuol Athuai Hal for their backing for the conference.
He urged the participants to address criminal matters through competent courts.
“We are friends of peace – let us prepare for peace and let us join hands together and prevent enemies of peace. If a crime has been committed it does not show that all tribesmen are backsliders from peace but that will be tackled as a personal case and it will be presented to the concerned court.”
Meanwhile, the acting governor Adup Achier voiced support for the conference and said the state government wants both tribes to live in peace.
“You have to contact county commissioners if there are some needs you need that can support in peaceful coexistence between Dinka Malual and Rezeigat. You will take this messages of peace to the grassroots and to those who did not come to attend the conference,” he told participants .
“Our role as government is to monitor and implement things have you agreed upon.”
Garang Kuach, the commissioner of Aweil West County thanked the state government, AECOM organization and the joint border peace committee of the two tribes for their roles in the event.
“The conference of today is to review on agreed agendas. It was initiated for years back but every year these tribes sit together and review on resolutions and recommendations. The review will be done on peace document if something went wrong it will be determined and the suspect will be sent to face the court,” he said.
File photo: Riziegat nomads in Gok Machar, March 2013 (Radio Tamazuj)