Post elections peace and reconciliation conference ends in Yambio
September 27, 2010 (YAMBIO) – A three-day peace and reconciliation conference has ended in Yambio. The conference brought together bitter foes of Western Equatoria State (WES) who were divided during the April polls.
The Conference drew participants from neighboring Lakes State, citizens of which have carried out cattle raiding in the town of Mvolo, in the host state.
The conference resolved to organize counties’ reconciliation conferences to bridge election differences and foster reconciliation throughout WES.
The conference recommended that an ad hoc committee should be set up at state and county levels to implement the reconciliation activities in all spheres of state government, and that the leadership at various levels in the state should adhere to the principles of good governance and that these principles should in turn, should be replicated in all ten counties of WES.
Participants urged the state governments work together and curb border and cattle dispute between Mvolo county (WES) and Wulu county of (Lakes State).
Speaker of the Southern Sudan Legislative Assembly, James Wani Igga attended the three-day long peace effort.
In a brief interview after the closing ceremony, Igga said that “the conference was a great event in the history of WES, as such I congratulate the WES government for the initiative of peace dialogue; the conference was a memorable and remarkable event.”
He expressed his belief that, “the comprehensive reconciliation needs immediate implementation of its recommendations,” adding that the event should be “an exemplary effort and step for the rest of southern Sudan and the Government of Southern Sudan, especially with regards to the disputes during April’s general elections.”
Igga encouraged the WES politicians to “focus on the future of WES and together with the citizens say, the past has ended.”
The Governor of WES, Bangasi Joseph Bakosoro said that thanks to this event, WES will remain in a state of “peace, love, togetherness and unity as most of the grievances have been aired out and resolved.”
He stated that, since this was the first time Sudan held multi-party elections, people need to understand the positive aspects and shortcomings of democratic transformation.
Bakosoro said that he will work hand in hand with commander of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Army in WES, Brigadier Makual, to end the unnecessary road blocks and taxations, as recommended in the conference.
The Governor of WES urged all the County Commissioners, Chiefs, Church Leaders, youth, women and all the political parties to disseminate the reconciliation and peace message to their various areas.
The former Governor of WES, who is now the Government of Southern Sudan (GoSS) Minister of Housing and Planning, Jemma Nunu Kumba said that, “as a daughter of WES I will take a lead in the reconciliation process amongst the citizens of WES.”
Jemma urged Bakosoro to visit all the ten counties of WES “to unite citizens as one people of the state with developmental messages.”
She also called upon the citizens of WES to thank her for the achievements in her two years as the Governor of the state.
Jemma reiterated her position that she still remains the state chair person of the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), and representative in the SPLM Political Bureau and will continue to render the leadership required by the people of the WES.
One of the participants at the conference, Joseph Daudau said that he is convinced that WES will be one of the strongest states if its people continue with dialogues as a solution to problems.
The three-day conference brought representatives from all the ten counties of the WES, Lakes State, Central Equatoria State, Eastern Equatoria State, GoSS Legislative Assemblies and other officials.
The historical event was graced with blessings from the traditional elders of the state and bishops of the various churches in WES.
(ST)