By Makur Adut

The neighbouring communities of Rumbek North of Lakes State and Tonj East of Warrap State have resolved to end inter-communal violence, and cattle raiding that has persisted for many years.

The peace dialogue was facilitated by the Kong Koc consortium that brought together about one thousand participants, including government officials from respective states.

Speaking at the conclusion of the workshop on Tuesday, Mathiang Mading, the Peace Canal representative said the communities decided to form a peace committee known as a cross-border peace committee comprised of 30 members.

“15 members from the Luacjang community, and other 15 members from the Pakam community,” he said.

“This committee was tasked to implement the agreement between the two communities at the border when we went to Makuac this month.”

He said the dialogue between Pakam and Luacjang communities resolved to end inter-communal hostilities, cattle raiding,  revenge killing, and road ambushes.

The commissioner of Rumbek North County, Moses Maker Magok described the peace dialogue between the two communities as successful.

He said it is the role of the government on both sides of Lakes and Warrap States to implement these outcomes of the resolutions for peace to prevail among the communities.

“The commissioner of Tonj East, and I myself the commissioner of Rumbek North county have attended the dialogue between Pakam and Luacjang facilitated by the peace partners.”

The commissioner is optimistic that the dialogue will end the seven years of conflict among the communities.

Martha Alook Bol, a community woman representative in Rumbek North County expressed her happiness for the fruitful dialogue and the resolutions signed by the two communities.

She said the inter-communal hostilities, cattle raiding and revenge killing have left many homes around Rumbek  North County deserted since conflicts began.

“The implementation of the signed resolutions will allow us as women to return to our homes, which were deserted since the beginning of the conflicts,” she said.

According to her, most of the people neighboring Maper villages have deserted the areas and their properties were all looted.