By Yien Gattuor Mead Kuich
Presbyterian Church of South Sudan is leading efforts to reconcile Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Bentiu camp.
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) sponsored the two weeks conference that started on Saturday, at Bentiu IDP camp football ground.
Presbyterian Church’s regional moderator in charge, Joseph Nhial Chan Hoth, the conference brings together several ethnic communities that were hostile to each other.
He told No.1 Citizen Daily Newspaper that after Bentiu IDP camp similar conferences will also be held in Bentiu town, Rubkona County and Guit County.
“The ongoing conference will enable communities to embrace peace and unity and allow freedom of movement and community togetherness in the state,” Chan said.
Rev. Peter Chuol Guor Kikuey, one of the facilitators advised youth to desist from revenge killings, adding that they should lay down guns in order to pursue education.
He noted that the peace conference, the first of its kind organized by the Presbyterian church of South Sudan in Bentiu, aims at reuniting the communities.
The Acting head of UNMISS field office and head of civil affairs division, Jean Kony appreciated Presbyterian Church for organizing the peace conference in Bentiu IDP camp.
“UNMISS will continue to support the church to foster community peace dialogues, and transport peace preachers to hard –to-reach areas to preach peace and unity,” Kony added.
Kony urged youth to focus on education and development for the betterment of South Sudan.