Tackle inter-tribal conflicts in S. Sudan, activists tell lawmakers
By Julius N. Uma
September 16, 2011 (JUBA) – A South Sudan civil society group has appealed to lawmakers in Jonglei and Warrap states to put in place mechanisms that will prevent inter-tribal conflicts, which have remained common since the country’s independence in July.
In the strongly-worded statement issued in the aftermath of last month’s violent clashes that killed over 640 people in Jonglei, Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) said serious measures are needed to prevent a repeat of the incident or future revenge.
CEPO is mainly engaged in the conflict mitigation, peace, human rights, and rule of law, governance, democratic transformation and livelihood.
“We call upon Jonglei and Warrap state legislative assemblies to take serious measures for addressing the inter-communities conflict in the states,” partly reads the organization’s statement.
According to the organisation, the rampant tribal conflicts in South Sudan have mainly been aggravated by factors such as high bride prices (normally paid in cattle), idleness among the youth and grazing rights.
“The worse factor is the use of community frictions by politicians for buying community support in order to access political position or other public office,” CEPO’s September 16 statement adds.
In essence, however, the civil society entity urged MPs and the executive at a state to make inter-community conflict mitigation a priority for the development of these states.
The activists further called upon the international community to put conflict mitigation, peace and security as top priority in their programs.
Last month, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in South Sudan expressed deep concern over the security situation in Jonglei state, where intense fighting reportedly killed hundreds and displaced over 26,000 people.
Lise Grande said a UN investigation team had discovered more than 330 graves in Jonglei’s Uror County, adding that the number could be much higher, with local authorities reporting the over 600 had been killed with more bodies possibly remaining unburied in the bush.
Recently, the UN estimated that more than 1,500 southerners have reportedly died in various conflicts across the states of Africa’s newest nation, with an additional over 70,000 said to have been displaced.
South Sudan’s government has repeatedly condemned the attacks in Jonglei state and established a committee to investigate the incident. It is, however, not clear when the committee’s findings will be made public.
Reports from Unity state indicate that a further 46 people have been killed, 4,500 displaced and over 100,000 cattle stolen in attacks on Mayiandit
county from neighbouring Warrap state.
(ST)
George Bol
Tackle inter-tribal conflicts in S. Sudan, activists tell lawmakers
Do you think those who caused these instability in the South base on tribal line will stop tribal conflicts,while their leaders are always promoted after they killed the innocents. For example; Peter Gatdet and David Yau yau.
Politician rhetoric is the major cause of tribal fight. Folks, checked the you tube of militia of Peter Gatdet and you will understand much better that political rhetoric base on tribes is the cause of the problem.
Now, you have understood that Peter Gatdet has retuened but those whom he killed are still in the graves.What do thing about that?
those ill politicains always caused these instatbilities but still the Goss welcome back to the high positions without being trial. So do you think that the remaining will not followed the same trend?
I want GOSS to always put those who caused insecurity in justice if not they should be sentence to death instead of giving them positions while they have killed innocent people mainly children and women.
Kon Ajith Deng
Tackle inter-tribal conflicts in S. Sudan, activists tell lawmakers
Tribal conflict in South Sudan,created by some elements in the GoSS and now we are crying for solving those poblems,without looking into what the caustive of those problems,we must to address all issues causing problems in the South Sudan,not to pointing our figuers to some idividauls out side the government