Sudan’s Bor, Mundari revive peace deal
By Philip Thon Aleu
October 15, 2008 (BOR TOWN) – Leaders from Jonglei’s Bor and Central Equatoria’s Mundari communities adopted modalities to punish cattle raiders and other outlaws in “a peace strengthening” meeting held here on Saturday.
Both sides also agreed to invite Jonglei’s Pibor and Lakes State’s Aweriar Counties’ commissioners to peace table since cattle raiding and child abduction overlaps at boundaries, Bor Commissioner told Sudan Tribune on Tuesday.
Consultative meeting between Juba, Bor and Terekeka Commissioners are due to take place this week (in Juba) to pave safety movement of Bor pastoralists in Central Equatoria state back home.
Terekeka County, purely Mundari community, was represented by Commissioner Juma Ali Malou and a number of paramount chiefs headed by Modi B as the host Commissioner Abraham Jok Ariing fronted tens of Bor leaders including chiefs and Members of State Parliament.
‘ALWAYS COME TOGETHER’
Ties between Bor and Mundari remain relatively smooth since January’s peace deal until recently when two people (one Bor and another Aliap) were killed from cattle raiding and retaliation incidents in Aweriar County (Aliap) which prompted formulating verdicts.
According to the deal; cattle movement should be restricted, pastures seekers to adhere to host chiefs rules and regulations, and cattle raiders be severely punished to avoid future from repeating itself.
“If you killed and nothing is done, then insecurity will increase,” Bor Commissioner Abraham Jok Ariing tells Sudan Tribune Tuesday in shielding their decision.
Ariing however, says that dialogue could be imparted into normal life and not when there is problem. “It is good we always come together,” he noted.
Addressing a congregation of nearly two thousands people on Sunday at Leudier Cathedral in Bor Town, Terekeka Commissioner Juma Ali Malou expresses hopes that peace between is “holding” despite fresh child abduction that ignites fears the deal may fail.
Both leaders declined to exchange accusing fingers, citing that the abductors were not among them. This, Bor commissioner says, prompted them to invite Pibor Commissioner Akot Maze whose men have been widely accused of carrying various atrocities including child abduction.
(ST)