Jonglei state residents rally for peace
December 19, 2014 (BOR) – Hundreds of people rallied on the streets of Jonglei state capital Bor on Friday calling for peace after a year of violent conflict in the young nation.
The conflict in South Sudan recently entered its second year.
The fighting, which was triggered by a dispute in the country’s ruling party (SPLM) last December has pitted the government of president Salva KIir, a Dinka, against rebel forces loyal to former vice-president Riek Machar, a Nuer.
CEPO advocate Keris John said the organisation is calling for communities to be included in peace talks to ensure an agreement is reached that benefits all South Sudanese.
“Our main goal is to contribute in enhancing community participation and involvement in peace,” said John.
“What we are doing is to empower communities [to] demand for peace and stability. It [is] also about empowering community influence and demand for peace and stability from the leaders and representative from the government,” he added.
Jonglei civil society leader Wello Ochalla said a just and sustainable peace agreement was the only way to move forward and end the suffering of the South Sudanese people in conflict-affected areas.
“Peace will come when we show up, express our feelings, when we forgive one another, and when we reconcile with our neighbours,” said Ochalla.
“Our people are suffering – no good health [services], no education and food insecurity has become rampant in the country,” he added.
Awur Isaiah, who chaired the Bor county Women’s Association said a grassroots approach is vital to reconciling communities on both sides of the conflict, a step which she said would pave the way for development and prosperity in South Sudan.
“When peace begins from home, between the family members of [the] Nuer and Dinka [tribes], then we will achieve national peace for development,” said Isaiah.
Also joining the walk for peace on Friday were children and local youth representatives.
Participants, who chanted for an immediate peace accord between the country’s rival parties, marched from Bor’s Freedom Square to the main state hospital and onto the state secretariat before again returning to Freedom Square.
The CEPO receives support from the Systems to Uphold the Credibility and Constitutionality of Elections in South Sudan (SUCCESS) through the US development agency USAID for its work in enhancing community participation and involvement in the South Sudan peace process.
South Sudan’s warring parties recently returned to the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, for a fresh round of peace talks.
Negotiations have been hampered by ongoing delays and disagreement about who is allowed to participate and have so far failed to yield a lasting political settlement to the crisis despite a ceasefire deal signed earlier this year.
Jonglei state witnessed fierce fighting at the height of the conflict, changing hands several hands.
(ST)