A two-day inter-states peace conference involving the Launjang community of Tonj East in Warrap State and the Pakam community of Rumbek North County in Lakes State started on Tuesday in Warrap’s Tonj South County.
The conference which brought together 100 participants from both sides aims at resolving the conflict between the two communities who have severally been involved in cyclic revenge attacks and violent cattle rustling.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday, Warrap State Information Minister William Wol Mayom said the conference focused on the root causes of the conflict.
“The conference took place in Tonj South County in Warrap State and there were 50 participants from the greater Launjang community and 50 from the greater Pakam community of Lakes State,” he said. “The conference addressed the root causes of conflict, land disputes, cattle theft and cattle raiding, revenge killing, and illegal firearms among other things.”
According to Mayom, after the conference, the two communities will coexist peacefully and have tranquility.
“The conference is the first of its kind to be conducted and we urged the Lakes State authorities to show commitment in implementing the resolutions of the meeting,” he said.
In February, at least 151 people were reported killed during a cattle raid involving the Launjang and Pakam communities.
And in April, 7 people were killed and 13 others wounded in Warrap State while 3 were killed and 6 wounded from the side of Lakes State and 570 cattle raided from Tonj East County.