By Hou Akot Hou
In an effort to address rising cross-border tensions, a joint peace committee comprised of Rezigat representatives from Sudan and Dinka Malual from South Sudan met with Aweil North County Commissioner Kiir Chan Wol last week.
The meeting, held at the Gok-Machar, the headquarters of Aweil North County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal focused on implementing recently signed peace accords between the two communities.
Discussions centred on incidents of murder and cattle theft that have occurred since the dry season began.
“We need a peaceful state,” Commissioner Wol said. “The SSPDF soldier accused of murdering the Arab nomad will face the law. This is what we want to instil in our people to discourage instability. We are brothers and sisters.”
Mr. Wol’s statement comes after the reported murder of a Sudanese nomad in Kak-det, Kiir-Adem, allegedly by an SSPDF soldier.
Division 3 Commander of Wunyiik, Angon Ungom, also attended the meeting and emphasized the administration’s commitment to holding the accused accountable.
Regarding cattle theft, commissioner Wol stated that stolen Rezigat cattle will be recovered and returned to their rightful owners.
However, the Dinka Malual peace committee in Gok-Machar accused the local police authorities of failing to apprehend those responsible and return the stolen livestock.
In rebuttal, Police Inspector Deng Chier of Aweil North County downplayed the accusation, stating that the peace committee avoids bringing Arab nomads to court due to lengthy prison sentences for the accused.