Aweil chiefs call for reconciliation with Rumbek over murder of their citizens
June 17, 2012 (JUBA) – Chiefs from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state’s capital, Aweil, have called for peace and reconciliation conference with Lakes state, accusing the latter of murdering of their citizens.
A delegation of the chiefs headed by Chief Kong Ayuel Majok came to Juba on Thursday and briefed South Sudan’s Vice President, Riek Machar, on the security situation along the Rumbek-Tonj road.
The chiefs said many of their citizens who travelled from Juba lost their lives this year along that road as they were trying to transit through Rumbek to Aweil in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
The chiefs appealed to the national government to maintain security, particularly along the road.
They also stressed the need to organise an inter-state chief’s reconciliation conference with participation of chiefs from both Lakes and Northern Bahr el Ghazal states.
The Vice President said he appreciated the Aweil community for maintaining peace and security among their populations as well as with their neighbouring states. He assured them that the concerns will be communicated to the Governor of Lakes State, Eng. Chol Tong Mayay.
Inter-state conflicts and cattle rustling involving communities of Lakes, Warrap and Unity states have always been a cause of insecurity resulting to the loss of hundreds of lives in that particular triangle.
(ST)