Resolutions of Dinka Malual and Messiriya Grassroots Peace Conference,

RESOLUTIONS, DINKA MALUAL AND MESSIRIYA GRASSROOTS PEACE CONFERENCE,
AWIEL TOWN, NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL STATE, NOVEMBER 11 – 14, 2008

SECTION I

RECOMMENDATIONS ON EQUITABLE SHARING OF GRAZING LAND AND WATER POINTS

1. The conference recommends the Dinka Malual to allow the Messiriya pastoralists or nomads to enter Northern Bahr El Ghazal without carrying firearms.

2. The conference recommends the creation of a native administration from the two tribes which should be facilitated (empowered) so that it is able to do the following:

a) Maintain security and rule of law and inculcation of the spirit of fraternity and mutual respect between the two communities.

b) Maintain social texture and rejuvenation of the traditional alliances and nourish the spirit of natural love and respect.

3. Formation/establishment of joint native courts with wide powers to look into common customary laws and prevent stealing of livestock and properties.

4. Regarding the routes for the nomads, the conference recommends the following:

a) Demarcation of movement routes every year as early as possible, before the beginning of the migration season to entering Dinka grazing land; and the two communities may establish suitable mechanisms for the implementation of these recommendations.

b) Determining the date and the period for entrance into and exit from Dinka grazing areas.

c) Establishment of mobile veterinary clinics to accompany the pastoralist or nomads throughout their movements within Dinka Malual areas.

d) Protect pastures from fires and enact laws to prevent this.

e) Harmonize livestock tax throughout the states.

5. Dredging of the channel of the River Kiir (El jerf) to restore normal flow of the water; and establish hafirs, dams and water pumps in this area.

6. The conference recommends the holding of annual conferences, exchange visits for the following reasons:

a) Invigorate the agreements of peaceful coexistence between the two tribes.

b) Activate the role of youth from the two parties and encourage cultural activities for the youth to deepen the culture of peace among them.

c) Ensure participation of women in all community affairs.

7. Open roads to and from joint markets to ease the flow of commerce between the two states.

8. The two tribes understand (agree) that the entrance of the Messiriya with their animals into Northern Bahr El Ghazal State is for grazing only; and have no rights to own land in Dinka land and, likewise, the Dinka have no right to own land in Messiriya land, except grazing.

SECTION II

RECOMMENDATIONS ON ABDUCTION OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN

1. The two sides agree that abduction is a condemnable action by all religions, customs and human conscience and undermines the long standing relationship between the two sides. This practice impacts negatively on the abductees and their families; and also constitutes a big obstacle which must be removed in order to support peaceful co-existence between the two tribes.

2. Both the Dinka and Messiriya commit themselves to full cooperation with CEAWC so that it can fulfill its work and programs.

3. The conference affirms that this problem is as a result of the war in the Sudan and appreciates the role of the national institutions, especially CEAWC, to control this practice.

4. The conference appreciates the role of the GONU, GOSS and the state governments of Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Southern Kordofan in their efforts to put an end to this practice.

5. The conference recommends granting funds to CEAWC, so that it can return the abductees to their families and close this chapter as soon as possible.

6. The responsible body should cooperate with the native administration in Messiriya area, in order to secure the ways for the voluntary return of displaced persons and refugees returning to Northern Bahr El Ghazal State; and also to remove all the impediments to investment, and to encourage investment from sons (daughters) of the two states.

SECTION III

RECOMMENDATIONS ON SHARED DEVELOPMENT

1. Regarding education, the conference recommended the following:

a) Improve school infrastructures in both the Dinka and Messiriya areas.

b) Recognizing the importance to the education of nomads’ children from both tribes.

c) Recognizing the significance of education to adults.

d) Recognizing the importance of education for women.

e) Construction of primary and secondary schools to absorb school dropouts.

f) Implementation of free education policy at the level of the basic schools.

g) Recognizing the significance of technical and vocational education.

2. Regarding health, the conference recommended the following:

a) Establish and improve hospitals and health centers in the area.

b) Avail trained qualified medical cadres.

c) Establish new specialized hospitals in larger towns in Southern Kordofan, like Meiram and in Northern Bahr El Ghazal like Aweil.

d) Increase health awareness campaigns to fight epidemic diseases.

e) Implementation of free medical treatment for mothers and children.

3. In the area of the potable water for humans and livestock, the conference
recommended the following:

a) Dredging of the River Kiir channel (El Jerf).

b) Establishment of hafirs, dams, pumps to increase rural water.

c) Sinking wells and installing hand pumps along the nomadic routes.

4. In the area of services:

a) Improve and pave internal roads that link the two states of Northern Bahr el Ghazal – Aweil and Southern Kordofan – El Meiram.

b) Improve and restore the rail link between Babanusa and Wau.

5. Regarding agriculture, the conference recommended:

a) Establishment of agricultural schemes for resettlement of nomads and pastoralists in both the Dinka Malual and Messiriya areas.

b) Introduction of crops which are suitable for Dinka Malual and the Messiriya areas, like rice in Aweil; dukhun, kerkade or groundnuts in Meiram and Muglad.

c) Availing agricultural machines/equipments and other agricultural inputs to modernize agriculture in the area.

d) Availing improved seeds and pesticides.

e) To establish joint markets for agricultural products in the two areas as well as outside of the areas.

f) Improvement of quality of livestock.

g) Provide funds to the small farmers.

h) Availing equipment for mobile veterinary clinics, together with the vaccination against epidemic disease.

i) Establishing the animal breeding farms and introducing the livestock in the agricultural economy in order to play a role in the agriculture and the economy.

6. In the area of industries:

a) The conference recommended refurbishment factories in the area.

b) Establishing small industries, for example soap making, oil extraction and sugar, etc.

SECTION IV

RECOMMENDATIONS ON SMALL ARMS CONTROL

In the area of illegal small arms control, the conference recommended the following:

1. To abide by the stipulations in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) regarding the holding of firearms.

2. The conference recommended to accelerate the demobilization of ex-combatants from the two tribes and to find decent livelihood for them.

3. The native administration in the two sides of Dinka and Messiriya; and the local authorities are to maintain security for the pastoralists in Dinka area and vice versa in Messiriya areas.