South Sudan’s Bor-Mudari business resumes

Philip Thon Aleu

January 28, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) — Business activities that were suspected following a fierce relationship between Bor Dinka and Mudari communities have resumed. Last week’s peace deal is likely fruiting.

Today, Monday January 28, a car loaded with sacks of mangoes arrived from Mongala, a town 47 miles on Juba-Bor road in Mudari territory. Mudari citizens were very happy to meet hospital faces from Bor residents, an expression they never anticipated.

Mary Kiden, a Mudari by tribe said she is very happy that there is peace and movement from Mongala to Bor is now normal. “We use to damp these mangoes when there is no market, but in Bor, people like fruits and one should be very, very excited about the new development, peace,” she said.

In Bor territory, mango trees are very few, since the climate does not allow growth of some tree species. On the hand, Mudari benefits from Bor unfortunate climate – a market. Groundnut is yet another crop that does very well in Mudari area and is being locally exported to Bor.

Movement of people along Bor-Juba road has totally normalized following last week’s peace deal held in Gamezia, Mudari area. A sixteen member committee, resolved to be formed to solve litigious issues that caused tension between Bor and Mudari, was represented on Saturday January 26 in Gamezia by both communities.

The committee base is till a point to discuss. But a source close to the committee said the base is not vital at the moment. Pariak, an outlet of Bor town, is preferred by both sides. The members of the committee will be facilitated by Bor and Terekeka Counties ‘to easy their work,’ Mr. Ali Malou, the commissioner of Terekeka county suggested during the conference on Tuesday last week.

(ST)