South Sudan, Ethiopia discuss Lou-Nuer peace process
Oct 5, 2006 (ADDIS ABABA) -– A Southern Sudanese Government delegation held talks with senior Ethiopian government officials here to discuss a peace process that it is hoped will end a 14-year conflict between the Lou and Jikany Nuer.
The Sudanese peace delegation met with Ethiopian officials at the Ministry of Federal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as parliamentarians. All groups welcomed the peace process which began at a July gathering of over 300 African pastoralists near Yabello, southern Ethiopia, organized by the UN OCHA Pastoralist Communication Initiative.
Following the Yabello conference chiefs of both groups held a meeting in Addis Ababa and declared an end to their conflict which has claimed thousands of lives. Ethiopian officials Tuesday said it was vital that the community continued to drive the process.
The delegation also visited Gambella, close to the Sudan border, where they met with Sudanese refugees in the Itang and Fugnido camps. Most of the refugees fled to Ethiopia in 1983 and during the 1990s as a result of the civil war in Southern Sudan. It was the first time that a Southern Sudanese government delegation had visited the camps since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. The delegation also met with community leaders and regional government representatives.
“We brought a message to the refugees,” said John Jock Chol, Advisor on Peace and development to the Governor of Jonglei State in Southern Sudan. “There is a great chance for our two governments to end this baseless, meaningless conflict.”
Most civilians and militias in Jonglei State voluntarily disarmed in July as part of a process that will lead to greater economic and social development. John Jock Chol said the process will be completed with the disarmament of the Murle people whose leader, Ismael Konyi, last week joined the Sudan People’s Liberation Army.
A peace conference to be attended by community leaders, local chiefs and Ethiopian and Sudanese government representatives, previously scheduled to take place in Tiergol, has been moved to Akobo and is due to take place in late January.
(OCHA/ST)