Jonglei governor calls for peace at grassroots level
October 12, 2014 (BOR) – Jonglei state’s caretaker governor has urged the local population to accept peace at a grassroots level with their Nuer Counterparts ahead of an expected agreement between the South Sudanese government and the country’s rebel faction.
Government and rebel forces aligned to former vice-president Riek Machar have been engaged in an armed struggle since mid-December last year following a political dispute in the country’s ruling party (SPLM), leading to an eruption of tribal tensions between the Nuer and Dinka ethnic groups.
The conflict has killed thousands of civilians and displaced more than a million people.
In his speech, Kong highlighted the importance of unity and social harmony at a local level.
“You know that the government and the rebels of Riek [Machar] are in peace talk in Addis Ababa; peace will come. But at our level here, we need peace ourselves. There was supposed to be [a] peace conference in Bor between the chiefs of Nuer and Dinka on 9 October, but maybe God push it ahead for some more days. This peace is meant to iron out some issues between us,” he told residents.
“Every conflict that starts has an end, and the end is always peace. People say it is a conflict between Dinka and Nuer, but it is not. It was a conflict that started between the politicians for the seat. Look, there is only one seat for one president; President [Salva] Kiir is on it, and Riek said he needed it. In which country do two presidents sit on one chair?” he added.
“It is lack of patience, just after three months of pregnancy that makes [a] dog give birth to blind puppies. That is what happened to Riek. Instead of waiting for just two years to claim the seat, he waged war in the middle,” said Kong.
A peace conference, due to be held in Jonglei capital Bor in mid-October, is expected to bring Nuer and Dinka Bor chiefs to the same table, according to the governor.
Kong has also been inspecting the progress of roadworks by the Korean peacekeeping contingent, who have covered more around 100km since primary works got underway last month.
He warned locals not to shoot at or threaten Korean peacekeepers while they are working on the road.
The governor was welcomed at the local church by local women, chiefs and youths, including wrestler Agau Kol Nyok.
The governor provided 15,000 South Sudanese pounds (SSP) for the gathering, with 10,000 SSP distributed to the community and 5,000 to the church.
Deputy governor Baba Konyi pledged a number of tents to house the chiefs and members of the local community and congregation who have lost their homes.
(ST)