Dinka Malual of Northern Bahr al Ghazal and Misseriya Arab nomads have concluded a post-migration conference in Wanyjok in South Sudan. After a positive conclusion to the event, the nomads are being encouraged to return during the next migration season.

The conference in Aweil East County of Northern Bahr al Ghazal came shortly after a similar event between the Dinka Malual and another nomadic tribe, the Rizeigat of East Darfur, at Gok Machar in Aweil North.

Both conferences were meant to give opportunity for review of agreements made earlier this year ahead of the Arab nomads’ seasonal migrations.

The Wanyjok conference between Misseriya and Dinka Malual, which began on 30 May and ended 31 May, was attended by more than 58 chiefs and 6 women representatives from both tribes.

According to the head of the peace committee of Dinka Malual Luka Luach, the review of the resolutions agreed at the pre-migration conference found that nearly all of the 29 articles were implemented, suggesting a relatively peaceful migration. 

“Only four articles were not implemented by both tribes and they included the loss of a young boy at the border of Dinka Malual territory, six people killed at Warguet, a land mine that killed some cattle and taxe increases at Majok Yinthiou – but these issues will be resolved by the two tribes,” he said .

However, he urged members of the Misseriya Peace Committee to verify about the groups camping in Toch Chol and urge them to respect the agreement because there are reports of some nomads coming with their guns.

He also recommended demining around Warguet area and suggested the Misseriya should not move their cattle near the Warguet barrack, where he said both armies planted land mines.

Meanwhile, the Dinka Malual leadership is urged to trace a lost boy of the Misseriya community who went missing in the border area between the two tribes.

Members of peace committee representing the Misseriya are expected to organize the next pre-migration conference ahead of next season’s migration. This event will take place in Meiram, West Kordofan.

Other outcomes of the Wanyjok conference include recommendations for repairs to be made to the Meiram road, for SPLA to be prohibited from boarding private vehicles, and for both communities and to provided transportation to the joint peace committee members, in order to facilitate monitoring of the agreements.

Both tribes also agreed to introduce intercultural dances and marriages between the two communities to encourage coexistence.

Speaking at the event, the caretaker governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal commented on the incident in which six Misseriya were killed near Warguet, saying he would ask the SPLA general in Warguet to get involved in the investigation to see whether SPLA were involved.

For his part, Aweil East County Commissioner Awet Kiir said he will ask the people of the Gok Nhom area to look for the lost boy of the Misseriya, and if he is found then the authorities will report it.

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