Traditional spiritual leaders known as “spear masters” have called for an end to cycles of revenge killings, cattle raiding and road ambushes following a two-day peace conference in Rumbek, Lakes State.
The meeting, organized by the organization TOCH and funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation and partners in the United Kingdom, brought together about 30 spear masters from Tonj East and Tonj South counties in Warrap State, and Cueibet and the greater Rumbek area of Lakes State.
Participants said the gathering aimed to address the root causes of intercommunal violence and promote peaceful coexistence between communities in the two neighboring states.
Madhang Adel, a spiritual leader from Tonj East County in Warrap State, said the leaders want communities to live peacefully and pass on a legacy of coexistence to future generations.
“You cannot marry a wife with stolen cattle. That does not exist in Dinka norms and values,” he said. “A woman is married with resources earned through hard work.”
Adel said marriages based on legitimate resources are a sign of stability in the community and urged young people to avoid cattle theft and violence.
Machar Dhuol, a spiritual leader in Rumbek, said the appointment of the new Lakes State governor, Madhang Majok Meen, offers an opportunity to strengthen peace.
“We want peace between Warrap and Lakes states,” he said, urging the new governor to build on the work of former governor Rin Tueny Mabor.
Thuny Ayiech, a spiritual leader from the Gok community of Cueibet County, said the spear masters were mobilized from several communities, including Rek, Luacjang, Gok and Agar, to help restore stability across the Bahr el Ghazal region.
“We do not want anyone to start conflict with another,” he said. “Anyone who triggers violence will face consequences.”
He added that the spiritual leaders would travel across communities in Lakes and Warrap states to spread messages of peaceful coexistence.
John Mayik, a peacebuilding manager with TOCH, said the conference aimed to involve spear masters in peace efforts because of their influence in communities.
“Spear masters are sometimes believed to be part of the conflicts because they bless fighters before raids and may receive cattle as a reward,” he said. “We believe involving them can also help resolve conflicts so communities can live in peace.”
Mayik said the leaders agreed to conduct joint visits and traditional rituals in areas affected by violence, including Tonj East, Tonj South, Cueibet and Rumbek North.
Daniel Laat Kon, the state coordinator of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said discussions during the conference showed widespread fatigue with ongoing conflicts.
“The spiritual leaders have condemned revenge killings and cattle raiding and are calling for peace in greater Bahr el Ghazal, particularly in Lakes and Warrap states,” he said.
Stephen Mathiang Deng, Lakes State minister for cabinet affairs, said the conference brought together spiritual leaders as part of broader community leadership efforts to address insecurity.
“Some spear masters were previously involved in encouraging youths during conflicts,” he said. “Now they are being engaged as partners in promoting peace.”
He said the state government, under Governor Madhang Majok Meen, would work with the spiritual leaders and partners to strengthen peaceful coexistence between the two states.