Peace rallies have started to resolve conflict between the feuding Marial Wau Community in Western Bahr El Ghazal State’s Jur River County and the Apuk Giir Community in Warrap State’s Gogrial East County, officials confirmed.
Both communities have been experiencing continuous deadly attacks, cattle raiding and revenge killings despite efforts from the governments of the two neighboring states, faith groups and civil society organizations.
Speaking to this publication over the weekend, Jur River County Commissioner Santino Madut Akech said the peace activities started last week in Bahr El Shargi and Tharkueng Payam.
“We started the events in Bahr El Shargi, Tharkueng Payam in Greater Marial Wau on 18 September, and we are now holding the same peace ceremonies in Luonyaker, and our main purpose is to unite the communities of Greater Marial Wau and Greater Apuk communities,” Akech said.
Warrap State Information and Communication Minister William Wol Mayom said the reconciliation and peace rallies are intended to resolve the matters related to recent deadly clashes between the border communities. He praised intellectuals for taking practical steps for peace and community cohesion.
“These are peace and reconciliation processes between Apuk Giir and Marial Wau communities over the recent clashes,” he said. “The intellectuals from both communities have initiated the peace dialogues, with support from the peace mechanisms between Warrap and Western Bahr El Ghazal State.”
“The activities started in Wau Town in Western Bahr El Ghaza State, Kuajok Town of Warrap State, and today (Sunday) we are holding another peace rally in Luonyaker in Gogrial East County, Warrap State,” Minister Wol added.
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