“These communities had made a fresh pledge to work together to prevent violence, report criminal activities, ensure the return of stolen cattle, and promote peace,” the statement read.

By James Chatim

Two conflicting Nuer communities of Lou Nuer and Gaweer have agreed to work together to end the longstanding conflict between them.

This was agreed in a conference conducted by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Jonglei State on Thursday, aimed at preventing violence and strengthening accountability for crimes.

In the conference, the UNMISS underscored that the conflict between the Lou Nuer and Gaweer communities in Jonglei has been fueled by a proliferation of weapons among civilians and disputes over access to scarce resources.

“These communities had made a fresh pledge to work together to prevent violence, report criminal activities, ensure the return of stolen cattle, and promote peace,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the resolutions included a mobile court handling cases of cattle raiding, revenge killings, abduction of women and children.

They also agreed on non-possession of illegal weapons and that all alleged offenders should be detained in Bor Central Prison, regardless of the location of the crime.

Also, chiefs who accept bribes or stolen goods and those who harbor criminals shall be prosecuted.

“We fully endorse the conference resolutions and are committed to implementing them without hesitation,” said Jonglei Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok at the event.

The Head of UNMISS’s Bor Field Office, Geetha Pious, emphasized the importance of collaboration in building a strong and enduring bond between the communities.

“We support all efforts to develop a collective approach to conflict prevention among communities.”

“In this case, UNMISS facilitated the Governor’s visit to Ayod County to help resolve intercommunal conflict and organized a dialogue between uniformed forces, including those from the opposition, and the local community to strengthen civilian-military relations,”  he said.

Delegates from the Gawaar and Lou Nuer communities to the conference are directed to hold meetings in local areas to strengthen understanding of the cessation of hostilities and peace agreement.

The nine-member committee of chiefs, county representatives, youth, and women leaders is tasked to oversee the implementation of the resolutions.