Aweil, Misseriya start discussions on nomads’ migration
By Hou Akot
The Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State government has started a three-day discussion between the Dinka Malual of Aweil and the Misseriya nomads of Sudan.
The discussion being facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), forces the return of the Misseriya herders to Aweil East County
This pre- and post-migration conference is aimed at reviewing previous signed accords between the two communities of Dinka Malual and Misseriya.
Speaking during the opening of the conference, Northern Bahr El Gazal State governor, Simon Ober Mawut, emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence and promoting mutual respect between the two communities.
Ober noted the need to discuss their differing issues with understanding to reach amicable solutions to some broken accords.
“I am appealing to you to make sure that you discuss the critical issues among yourselves in a professional manner.”
“You have been staying for decades along the borders and have known each other well. Our interest is to see a long-lasting peace or a sustainable one being established between you,” Governor Ober noted.
“We don’t want to hear reports of killing before and after when you are returning the cattle. It gives wrong messages which derail peace.”
One of the paramount chiefs, Makuach Kuol Makuach, appreciated the state government and UNMISS for the organization of the workshop, saying they are committed to maintaining peace with their neighours.
“We have signed many accords with our brothers from Sudan who are cattle herders like us, like the Misseriya and Rezigat, and skirmishes that happen are due to some wrong people among people on both sides,” he noted.
It remains to be seen whether they will review in this conference all the accords that they signed, which some residents accused the government officials of taking blood compensation and regard as a conduit for making money from the Misseriya whenever a problem like death occurs.
