Mundari – Bor tension threatens ‘historical ties’ – Governor
By Philip Thon Aleu
October 13, 2009 (BOR) – Apart from undermining peace and impeding progress in South Sudan states, Mundari – Bor clashes also threat relationship fused with intermarriages, Jonglei Gov. Kuol Manyang Juuk told reporters here on Tuesday.
Speaking at Bor airstrip upon his return from Juba, Gov. Kuol acknowledges that Mundari and Dinka Bor youths have accepted to cease hostilities paving the way for Juba – Bor road to operate with security “escort for formality.”
Mundari and Bor youths clashed early this month in Gemeza Payam territory on Juba – Bor road leaving at least 42 people dead, 70 injured and 8,000 others displaced on both sides. The conflict, alleged as cattle theft on Dinka Bor cattle camps and disputes as Bor cattle ramming Mundari gardens, took days to be quelled by government forces. Public road transport shut then. Travelers with enough dough opted for air connecting Juba to Bor at US $100 – up from US $25 when using road.
“It’s very unfortunate and regrettable [for Mundari and Dinka Bor to fight],” Gov Kuol says when asked to commend about clashes between Central Equatoria’s Mudari and Jonglei’s Bor youths while he was in Juba.
“They have a lot in common and we do recognize these historical ties between the two communities. Instead of tying up, consolidating these relationships, they are breaking them,” Gov. Kuol further said.
‘TRAFFIC INTERFERENCE’
Though speaking different dialect, Dinka Bor and Mundari are economically pastoralists, have long history of sharing pasture lands and intermarry as well, Gov. Kuol stressed. Central Equatoria Governor Maj. Gen. Clement Wani Konga and his Jonglei counterpart jointly visited the villages devastated during the clashes on 9, October.
The two governors argued marauding youths “not to interfere with road traffic,” Gov. Kuol says in reference to ambushing of commercial and government vehicles moving between Bor and Juba. But Gov. Kuol observed that “vehicles are moving with small escort for formality.”
Meanwhile, Dinka Bor pastoralists are continuing to Bor as modality for long term cessation of hostilities. However, a report claims that 7 Kuku children were killed on Sunday while fishing in already contested Gemeza.
Unconfirmed reports also say the dead were killed on Mundari side on Saturday when 200 cattle from Bor were stolen and hided between River Nile tributaries around Gemeza. Whether this could be a challenge to a fading tension or Bor youth are further igniting tension at the border of CES and Jonglei. Gov. Kuol responded that it is an adverse attitude from whoever carried out the attack and must end.
“It doesn’t help in the stabilization of security situation. It undermines the peace we signed and impede development we embark on,” he lamented. The Jonglei leader looks forward to see Dinka Bor youth heading to Jonglei territory soon and displaced people from Mundari returning to their villages.
(ST)