Ngundeng’s grandson joins Jonglei peace initiative
February 28, 2012 (JUBA) – A grandson of the Nuer Prophet, Ngundeng Bong, has joined the Jonglei Peace Initiative (JPI) in the latest attempt by the leadership of the organisation to positively contribute to a peaceful resolution of the inter-communal conflicts in the volatile state.
Nyungdeng’s grandson, Gai Lel Ngundeng, lived in Canada for many years has recently returned to South Sudan and lives in Juba. He is known for his strong statements, for example following the Murle attack on a territory which included the headquarters of a prophet in January.
Gai Lel said that “900 Murle members of the SPLA army in Nasir, Maiwut, Ulang, Malakal and Bor towns left their barracks and joined Murle Youth to attack Nuer villages. They first attacked Dengjok Payam and killed over 30 civilians and took over 20,000 heads of cattle. In a few days, they attacked Uror County and massacred over 60 civilians and took over 6,000 heads of cattle. On January, 14, 2012, the Murle fighters attacked Prophet Ngundeng’s Bieh (Pyramid) and killed innocent civilians”.
Gai Lel called on the Lou Nuer youth in the area to defend what he called the “Holy” place known as “Bieh”, where the prophet was buried, vowing to prevent the Murle from reaching it.
Although Gai Lel said he did not approve of the Lou Nuer youth’s incursions into Murle territory, he said he supported their defence of the prophet’s burial ground.
JPI members, which include international participants, recently approached Gai Lel, asking him to actively participate in the initiative.
According to the statement published by the Juba based Citizen newspaper on Tuesday, the president of the JPI, Paul Mator Manyok, from the Greater Bor community persuaded Gai Lel to participate.
Expressing his concern about the current insecurity in Jonglei state, Manyok quoted Ngundeng’s statement at a Nuer gathering many years prior: “Brothers, it is painful when only one person foresees things”.
Gai Lel has agreed to join the JPI but whether his contribution will help bring positive change among the armed youths, who have expressed their disinterest in traditional leadership structures, remains to be seen.
(ST)