By Theophilous Ochang

The Chairperson for the Peace Commission in Eastern Equatoria State, Mathew Ugwak, has raised concerns over the reluctance by the local chiefs to disseminate the rule of law despite having been trained.

He made the statement during a training organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to participation of local chiefs in law enforcement.

The training also aimed to facilitate dialogue to mitigate conflicts between communities.

Speaking at the conclusion of the training in Torit, Ugwak noted that most local chiefs have been reluctant in executing their duty.

According to him, chiefs who were previously trained to help the government enforce laws and order among communities are not doing enough.

“It has been observed that all Chiefs of Eastern Equatoria State who were trained by UNDP to go and help the government to disseminate the rule of law at the counties, are not doing it today,” he said.

“The traditional cultures are more powerful to our chiefs, in what sense? In any case that involves killing, there is a law that says no person will kill another person.”

Ugwak said that having adapted to the rule of law does not mean the traditional arrangement on compensation has been abolished.

He said the perpetrator must serve their term in prison, as understanding among the family members is embraced.

“The person who kills someone has to serve the term in prison; meanwhile, any arrangement at the family level will continue.”

“We have to revisit the activities of the paramount chiefs in other counties to see exactly they are following the rule of law or the community influences them.”

According to him, the local communities are currently out of the rule of law and instead prefer the traditional cultures, which give the right to immediate compensation when any crimes, such as killing, happen.