Central Equatoria, Jonglei peace conference adjourned
By Philip Thon Aleu
February 3, 2009 (GAMEIZIA, Equatoria) — Peace and reconciliation conference expected to commence today between South Sudan’s Central Equatoria and Jonglei States has been adjourned for February 14 – 15 following chief guest failure to turn-up as scheduled.
South Sudan’s Vice President Riek Machar, the said guest of honor could not arrive on time due to some commitments and asked the Governors of the two States through his office to suspend the conference, chairman of steering committee told reporters here on Tuesday.
Enock Stephen Loro, commissioner of the headquarters, Central Equatoria State and the chairman of the steering committee told a press conference that tribal conflicts, border disputes cattle raiding and child abductions are high on the agenda. He further said he is confident that one day peace will prevail though many peace conferences don’t materialize.
“Communities are very difficult to understand but we [government] have to convince them things are not with insecurity,” he said. Loro however skipped questions from journalists concerning where the illegal arms owners’ sources of ammunitions saying “leaders need peace and cannot support any conflict within our communities.”
Central Equatoria Governor Clement Wani and Jonglei Governor Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk had arrived to the Central Equatoria Payam of Gameiza hours before the adjournment message was delivered.
Gameiza, a Terekeka County’s Payam borders Bor County’s Kolnyang Payam and has been the centre for the last two peace conferences held in 2007 and 2008. Thus the latest peace conference is still holding, minor cattle theft and competition over cattle grazing land have been simmering stable. Bor could increase the number of her cattle in Mudari territory in the next few weeks following forcefully orders to leave Central Equatoria inner areas immediately.
Lakes and Eastern Equatoria States communities bordering Mudari were also invited but never turn-up till today. It is unclear whether they could attend next time to end the conflict which Loro says “could interrupt this year’s election if not handle properly.”
(ST)
Gatwech
Central Equatoria, Jonglei peace conference adjourned
Reconcilian important,
The idea of intensifying peace and reconciliation conferences among warring communities is very, very important. The permanent peace between Nuer of Western Upper Nile and those of Dinka Bahr el Ghazal which has lasted for several years came as a result of Wunlit Peace and Reconciliation between the two tribes. I thank Dr. Machar for stepping up the task before the full dry season dawns. However, other senior officials of GOSS in Juba including the President should also take care of such conferences since they are many across the region and cannot be met on time by the Vice President alone. It was unfortuntate that the Gameiza conferences was adjourned because the Vice President was said to be rushing back to Juba for emergency meeting of the SPLM Political Bureau. Here in Upper Nile, there are more peace and reconciliation conferences also scheduled to be held in Malakal and Ulang county, also awaiting the Vice President.
JOHNNNY
Central Equatoria, Jonglei peace conference adjourned
Thank God, If Equatorians have agreed for peace, but not at all, I don’t think they peace will stop them from hunting people and Animals life in Jonglei State.
It will be a great step forward if both of them sign this peace.
Have some loves from Australia