Three sections of Aliap, Panyar and Beer in Rumbek East and Rumbek Central counties have agreed to reconcile following deadly intercommunal clashes linked to cattle camp land disputes earlier this year.
The agreement was reached during a two-day peace dialogue organised by Peace Canal and concluded on Saturday in Rumbek. The violence was triggered by disputes over the Awai cattle camp, which left several people killed and others injured, according to community leaders.
The dialogue brought together youth, chiefs, intellectuals and other stakeholders from the three sections, who adopted 24 resolutions aimed at restoring peace and preventing further violence.
Speaking during the meeting, youth representative Maluong Mathiang said the talks were intended to end long-standing tensions and promote coexistence.
He said disputes over land should be resolved through legal channels rather than violence.
“We want peace among ourselves. Land disputes should be taken to court instead of fighting,” he said.
Daniel Kon Dhelbeny, an intellectual from Amongpiny Payam, said the resolutions marked the end of disputes over the Awai cattle camp, which he said had been a recurring source of conflict for more than a decade.
He said the parties had agreed to government intervention, including restricting access to the contested area.
A peace-building official in Rumbek, Zackariah Kuoi Majak, said the communities agreed to refer land disputes to state authorities and a special court established to handle cattle-related cases.
“They have accepted that it was a mistake, and that land disputes should be handled by government institutions,” he said.
The agreement also provides for freedom of movement, cattle migration, exchange visits between cattle camps and the return of displaced residents to areas including Malou.
Chol Magang, a youth representative from the Beer section, said there was no benefit in continued fighting and called for reconciliation and intermarriage between communities.
Peace coordinator Mary Arun Gol said the resolutions also defined roles for youth, chiefs, women and intellectuals in sustaining peace and ensuring implementation of the agreement.
She said disputes would be directed to the newly established special court in Lakes State.
Local chiefs urged government involvement to prevent renewed violence. Sultan Malek Aguet, an executive chief in Amongpiny Payam, said continued conflict would only worsen insecurity in the area.
“We don’t want conflicts between us anymore,” he said, adding that disputes should be handled by government authorities.
The communities called for full implementation of the resolutions to prevent further clashes over cattle camps and land ownership.
and then