Cueibet, Rumbek North agree to end inter-communal violence

The workshop, organized by Kongkoc under the theme: “Strengthening the Constructive Role of Elites in Community-Led Peacebuilding”, brough together various stakeholders.

By Makur Adut

A total of 60 participants, including government officials, intellectuals, youth, women, and traditional chiefs from conflict-affected communities in Cueibet and Rumbek North counties, have undergone training on elite engagement.

The training aimed at securing the commitment of community elites to peace building and socio-economic development within their communities.

The workshop was organized by Kongkoc under the theme: “Strengthening the Constructive Role of Elites in Community-Led Peacebuilding.”

Speaking at the closing session, Mathiang Mading, Acting Peace Canal Coordinator in Rumbek, said the elites were drawn from Rumbek North and Cueibet counties. The counties are supported by KONGKOC KONGKOC, a consortium that comprising seven (7) international and national organizations, including Peace Canal, which is leading reconciliation in KONGKOC.

The participants signed a communique that contains several issues that were resolved in the two-day training.

“It is containing 11 important resolutions, which are to be implemented in letter and spirit,” Mading stated.

He said the leaders agreed to form a joint committee between the two counties of Rumbek North and Cueibet.

“This committee is going to comprise 15 members. It will be headed by the minister of peace building, from the government side; alongside other group representatives from the grassroots,” he said.

“Another resolutions agreed is that Rup community in Mayom and Malek payams will be included in the next engagement of the KONGKOC activities even if these two areas are not part of the KONGKOC jurisdiction.”

“If they are left out, then there will be no stability even if Rumbek North and Cueibet come together and have an understanding on critical issues. Leaving the Rup community, which is at the border, out, may risk destabilizing the process. Thus it is essential to have it,” Mading explained.

The elites have agreed to step aside from supporting the communal conflicts because they realized in the two days conference that they had a negative role.

Mading continued said the resolutions agreed upon during the two days discussion will be crucial to realising peeace in the region.

On his side, the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement in Lakes State, Mabor Meen Wol, admitted that intellectuals would play an important role in community peaceful processes.

“The two-day meeting concluded by putting forward resolutions. Some of them will be implemented by the government while other by the community, and the others by intellectuals and lawmakers,” he said.

He said the role of the government is to enhance security and maintain the rule of law. Unfortunately, he said, it is regrettable that some culprits who killed people in the community were still at large.

“Intellectuals resolved to help to mobilize the community and sensitizing them on peace matters. Visit the various regions of the state so that they van enlighten them on the benefits of community cohesion,” he said.

“For MPs, those are your Constituencies. During recess, you have to go to the people and discuss peace. Women and youth must  also play a part to help in building cohesion so that people remain united.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Speaker of Lakes State in the Revitalized Transitional Legislative Assembly Ayen Meen Ador said they resolved to form a joint committee tasked with bringing the Gok and Pakam communities together.

“It is about working together to bring peace in our communities. We have gathered a lot of knowledge on how best we can leave together,” she said.

“Join hands and implement the resolutions we have agreed upon here. All of you, the local administrators; chiefs, commissioners and security personnel, preach the message of peace.”

Utilities

“For MPs, those are your Constituencies. During recess, you have to go to the people and discuss peace. Women and youth must  also play a part to help in building cohesion so that people remain united,” Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement in Lakes State, Mabor Meen Wol said.