South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The government of Jonglei State has confirmed its efforts to ensure peace, justice, and reconciliation following deadly clashes between the Ayual community of Twic East County and the Hol community of Duk County.
According to a statement issued by the office of Riek Gai Kok, the governor of Jonglei State, the breakthrough emerged from a three-day high-level consultative dialogue held earlier this month at the Regency Hotel in Juba.
“In a landmark step towards lasting peace and reconciliation, the Ayual community of Twic East County and the Hol community of Duk County, Jonglei State, have jointly committed to resolving longstanding land disputes and communal clashes,” said the governor’s office in the statement.
“The key among the agreed resolutions is the community sensitisation campaigns to discourage land encroachment and promote peaceful cohabitation, immediate cessation of hostilities, assurance of free movement for people and goods, deployment of joint security patrols to safeguard the areas and protect lives and property,” it stated.
It revealed that the meeting, attended by distinguished delegations of traditional leaders, government officials, members of Parliament, youth and women representatives, and observers from neighbouring counties, was chaired by Hon. Mabil Gideon Dau, the head of the mediation committee.
It also noted that Governor Kok commended the two communities for their courage, emphasising that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of justice, cooperation, and mutual respect.
Governor Kok reaffirmed the Jonglei State Government’s full support in implementing the communiqué and facilitating boundary resolutions, adding that the government will deploy forces to protect lives and property.
“Both parties solemnly pledged to uphold the communiqué in good faith and to work collaboratively with the Government of Jonglei State, development partners, and all stakeholders to ensure that peace, justice, and reconciliation prevail for the benefit of current and future generations,” it said.
The forum convened under the leadership of His Excellency Dr. Riek Gai Kok, Governor of Jonglei State, culminated in the adoption of a six-point communiqué outlining concrete measures for peacebuilding, justice, and sustainable coexistence.
