Jonglei governor asks church to foster Bor–Murle relationship
By Philip Thon Aleu
March 5, 2008 (BOR, Jonglei) — Jonglei governor has call upon church to help bring peace between Bor and Murle communities that remain at fierce relationships since 2002 peace deal failed.
The conflicts surged further following last year’s cattle raiding in Bor County territory that claimed forty lives and also surfaced within Bor town when about five Murle tribe men were killed by unidentified mob.
Governor Kuol Manyang told a congregation at Liaudier church on Sunday March 2 that religion has no boundaries. “The only way to restore peace between Bor and Murle is through the church – through preaching the gospel of love, togetherness, brotherhood and forgiveness,” he said adding that “any mediation started by the church will be successful because religion is universal.”
The governor’s statement coincided with presence of Murle pastors who attended Sunday service at Bor cathedral for the first time. It is unclear whether the pastors came for peace process or any other religious affairs. But information obtained by Sudan Tribune on Tuesday March 4 indicates that where there is the will there is the way.
“I’m sure that the movement of religious leaders is a sign of reconciliation,” a clerk at Liaudier church, who prefers anonymity said when contacted, lamenting that “anything to do with peace mediation between Bor and Murle community is suspected.”
An attacked weighed by Murle on Bor in November 2007, at Baidit Payam 30 miles north of Bor town, left more than three dozens of people of dead and thousands of cattle looted. Movement of people fro and to Murle areas remains closed following last year’s cattle raiding and child abduction.
Both sides accuse each other of cattle raiding, theft and child trafficking. Information from government confirmed that last year’s cattle raiding at Baidit was carried out by Murle armed raiders.
Peace conference between Bor and Mudari has yielded a comfortable movement of goods and cattle keepers looking for better grazing lands. A trend leading to a peaceful resolution of Bor-Murle conflicts will forbade further atrocities, once properly negotiated.
(ST)