A joint Dinka-Misseriya post-migration conference jointly organized by FAO, IOM, and UNISFA just ended at Todach, 20 kilometers north of Abyei town.
The conference brought together the Joint Peace Committee and leaders of the respective migration corridors to discuss and tackle issues of mutual concern encountered during the pre-migration cycle. The conference was attended by 40 representatives of the Joint Peace Committee and leaders from eastern, southern and northern transhumance corridors within Abyei (20 from each of the two communities).
Highlights of the conference included the resolve by the two communities to jointly undertake peace building and confidence building activities that provide space for further strengthening of trust, peaceful co-existence and economic interdependency as well as initiatives to tackle issues of scarce resources.
The participants requested expansion of UNISFA’s military presence particularly in the Eastern migration corridor, commended the ongoing FAO cattle vaccination program and resolved to involve the Nuer in future peace processes notably migration conferences and agreements. The conference further agreed that the pre-migration joint conference would be held before the onset of the next dry season and the start of the Southward migration in January 2019.
The conference is located within the context of the efforts for the search for common grounds for amicable co-existence between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka.
Ms Mwila Kamwela, speaking on behalf of UNISFA and organizers assured the participants of UNISFA’s support throughout the process.