Terekeka peace conference turn violent after two communities clash

Terekeka peace conference turn violent after two communities clash
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A meeting that was meant to preach reconciliation and end a longstanding feud between two communities in Terekeka County, Central Equatoria, turned violent after two of the ‘warring neighboring’ communities turned on each other, in the presence of state officials who were trying to play the ‘mediator’.

The Commissioner of Wornyany Luko said that the peace conference that was meant to diffuse longstanding tension between the Ayom and Mayom communities ended prematurely after attendees from both sides resorted to force instead of logic.

The peace conference was called by the state government to try and help the two communities iron out their differences.

However, the meeting ended prematurely after the attendees failed to agree on the boundary issue, which is a major accelerator of the continued violence in the region.

“Reconciliation comes from the hearts of the two parties,” Luko said.

He added: “I am sure my community is not interested in that because how can you come to a reconciliation meeting with a fighting mindset?”

He stated that the security situation is calm as the government is handling the issues for the peaceful coexistence of the two communities.

He urged the community of Terekeka County and Mundari at large to embrace peace.

The commissioner further called on the two communities to use alternative conflict resolution mechanisms to solve problems.

However, the state member of parliament representing Nyori Payam Keji Jaden said there is a need for the county to enforce the laws to punish those fueling violence.

Keji said the community needs to be aware of the importance of peace in the county since the people of the region see the lives of cattle as having a higher priority than human lives.

The two communities in the county have never been at peace with each other. A peace conference that was organized by a local civil society group failed to take place after the two warring communities clashed at the eleventh hour.

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