National peace and reconciliation conference kicks off in Wau

September 2, 2014 (WAU) – A three-day national dialogue on peace and reconciliation kicked off in South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal capital, Wau, on Tuesday amid calls for unity among citizens.

In his remarks, Igga urged the population in Western Bahr el Ghazal region to unite with one another to avoid a repeat of last year’s violence outbreak.

“We are right now moving cross the regions of south Sudan collecting your views to find out the lasting solution to the conflict in our country,” he said.

Igga said the ongoing peace conference remains government’s priority as it amicably resolves its political differences with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in Opposition (SPLM-IO)

“Your views will later help us in resolving these crisis, if not, some of your ideas will be refer to referendum as an option to determine the best way of handling these crisis,” he stressed.

The vice-president urged the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal to freely express their views without fear at the conference as part of reconciliation.

“You have to speak out all your differences which need to be addressed for the sake of reconciliation,” said Igga.

Zackaria Joseph Garang, the deputy state governor assured the vice-president of support in his campaign to achieve peace and reconciliation.

Chol Rambang, the chairperson of South Sudan Peace Commission said the conference would help restore peace and confidence-building among citizens.

“The conference aims at accountability, identifying the dispute cause and gathering common ground solutions to the current crisis,” said Rambang.

A number of church leaders, civil society activists and stakeholders are participating on the three-day national peace and reconciliation dialogue on the theme, ‘one people, one nation’.

(ST)