By Alex Digi
A consultative meeting on the peace conference to end the inter-communal conflict that had ravaged Tambura County Western Equatoria State last year kicked off in Juba this week.
The consultative meeting was organized by the South Sudan Council of Churches, aimed at bringing the stakeholders of Western Equatoria State mostly Greater Tambura to discuss the solutions to the conflict, which look at when, where and how the peace conference can be held in the area.
Participants of the preparatory meeting were drawn from both the State and National government.
Speaking during the Opening of the consultative meeting, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Juba Dr. Ameyo said the politicians are the way to reach the community and they are the one who can advise the community to live in peace.
He said the Council of churches want to see that the right of every human being is recognized, because the State and Country is facing human right violations.
“Politicians are the leaders of the communities, we believe bringing them together will allow us to find the solution to the conflict in Tambura,” he said.
“It is our role as Council of Churches to make sure everyone’s right is recognized, the State and Country is facing a lot of violence and we are praying that this violence should come to an end. My message to the political leaders who are from Tambura is, stop violence and embrace peace among your people, violence can’t solve problem” His grace Archbishop Ameyo appealed to the leaders.
He urged the political leaders of Western Equatoria State to stop violence and embrace peace.
About two years back there have been a serious inter-communal conflict between Azande and Balanda communities in Tambura County which claimed the lives of hundreds and thousands displaced more displaced from their homes and properties destroyed.
According to many reports, the conflict was instigated by the senior politicians in Juba from both Azande and Balanda who are holding positions in the unity government and members of SPLM and SPLM-IO who hail from Tambura.
Churches and other civil Society Organizations had earlier tried to hold a peace conference in the area but it didn’t succeed due to mistrust.