By Yang Ater Yang
A peace dialogue in Lakes State has ended with the adoption of 24 resolutions aimed at ending violence, revenge killings, road ambushes, and elopements.
More than 100 participants, including chiefs, women, cattle keepers, youth, and intellectuals, gathered for the two-day dialogue organized by the Peace Canal organization.
This event brought together the Mony-Tiek, Ajiek, and Boor communities from Rumbek Central County.
Gordon Majuec Ayen, Peace Canal’s peace Building Manager, shared that over the two days, discussions focused on resolving conflicts that arose in May 2024.
One of the key resolutions states that all culprits must surrender to the government to ensure due legal processes are followed.
Additionally, individuals spreading false information or propaganda will face investigation, and those creating hateful songs targeting others will be subject to arrest and prosecution.
“These are resolutions that I have just picked up from the 24 resolutions as examples of what the three sections have agreed upon from today onwards,” he noted.
Majuec explained that the dialogue followed pre-dialogue sessions conducted two weeks prior, which laid the groundwork for this meeting.
“As Peace Canal, we engage at the grassroots level, and once there is agreement to meet, we bring people together to sit down and dialogue,” he said.
Napoleon Maker Phech, Chairperson of the Ajiek section, expressed optimism about the consensus reached.
“It has been a great and wonderful thing today to reach a consensus between two sections,” he said.
He noted that the communities had been in conflict for nearly a year and a half but agreed to resolve their issues through the legal system, which would decide on compensations for the deceased.
“Again, we came together as one community of Malek Payam. We have to compromise ourselves because we are only one body. It is an issue of naming, but we are one community under one Payam, and we have to forgive each other and continue to coexist in harmony,” he added.
“One thing that is very important in human life is forgiveness, and we have to forgive each other,” he emphasized.
The resolutions reached during the dialogue will be overseen by chiefs, government representatives, and intellectuals to ensure compliance.
In cases of violations, the law will take its course against any individuals who breach the agreements.
Nyanhok Malou Marial, the Minister of Peace Building in Lakes State, addressed the gathering, stating that the conflicting sections of Ajiek and Boor were the primary focus, with all five sections of the Rup community involved in mediating peace.
“The three communities have come to a consensus and agreed that peace is the only way forward because they are brothers from the same community,” she noted.
Families of victims expressed a desire for justice through blood compensation, asking the government to facilitate a committee for resolution.
Minister Malou addressed issues related to elopement, stating that most community concerns had been resolved. She also mentioned calls for merging cattle camps after a special court is established, emphasizing that accidental killings were unintentional and must not happen again.
Paramount Chief Sultan Mabor Alier Cipuounyuc remarked, “we had a sudden misunderstanding between the Ajiak and Boor sections of the Rup community. We heard each other and resolved all grievances, agreeing to compensate for those who lost their lives.”
Executive Chief Majur Achien Kolok reiterated that “we don’t want any conflicts to exist anymore. Blood compensation must be done, and we must forgive each other.”
He called on the government to form a committee to organize this process.
“The major issues affecting peace and stability are false rumors, and we need the government to identify those spreading such rumors,” he added.
Executive Director Majok Arop Majok highlighted the fruitful meeting, stating that all parties reached agreements on key resolutions.
“One of the resolutions is to request Governor Rin Tueny to establish a special court to address conflicts among the Rup community,” he said, noting that those spreading propaganda must be held accountable.
He assured the community that the government is committed to implementing the resolutions.
“We are here as representatives of the government to listen to the community,” he said.