South Sudan Archbishop pledges to meet rebel leader for peace talks
April 12, 2013 (BOR) – South Sudan Archbishop, Daniel Deng Bull, has pledged to meet David Yauyau who is leading a rebellion in Jonglei state, to persuade the former pastor to peace negotiate with the government.
“I am ready to talk to Yauyau if I know where he is. It pains me when I see our people killing themselves”, said Deng while addressing more than 100 women at the meeting in Bor.
Close to 400 women in both Jonglei state and South Sudan government converged, from Monday to Wednesday, in Bor to discuss their roles in creating peace in their communities.
“I prefer settling our problems peacefully than to see people dying everyday”, he continued.
Archbishop worked hard in 2010 and 2011 to bring the late renegade George Athor and South Sudan government to resolve their disputes peacefully, although no significant result was seen before Athor’s death in December 2011.
From March to May 2012, Deng, through his committee, managed to bring all the chiefs representing the six tribes to the negotiating table in Bor to iron out their differences.
A peace deal was signed but after a short lull in the fighting cattle the problems have continued, despite a statewide disarmament campaign launched over a year ago.
Earlier this month South Sudanese army accused Yauyau’s rebels of carrying out an attack in on UN peacekeepers in the Gumuruk area of Pibor county. But Yauyau has denied involvement and said that he is ready for peace.
The insecurity has led to the displacement of thousands of people.
(ST)