South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
The Support Peace Initiative and Development Organization (SPIDO) has intensified efforts to reconcile two communities involved in a protracted cattle-related conflict in Oronyo village, Torit County, Eastern Equatoria state.
Jacob Ramadan, a 28-year-old youth leader from Iyu camp, revealed that the two conflicting sides have agreed to end the intermittent fighting related to cattle theft. He added that the two sides have shaken hands as a gesture of peace within the community.
“As members of the two conflicting sides, we have agreed to embrace peace. We have shaken hands to prove that peace has come, and we have also agreed to exchange visits. Anyone who starts conflict again will bear responsibility,” said Ramadan in an interview.
Martin Ohide, a 54-year-old community elder from Isaru camp, noted that the dialogue has brought relief following a bitter cattle-related conflict that involved gunfire and the killing of a young person nearly a year ago.
“We are happy with the peace initiative; peace usually brings development. It is almost one year now, but we have finally reached a resolution: if you take a goat, you must pay back three goats, along with additional fines,” said Ohide.
Emmanuel Justin Chungo, a member of Parliament from Torit County representing the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement in the Eastern Equatoria state transitional legislative assembly, revealed that the conflicting communities share the same cultural dance.
“We have come for peace dialogue to reconcile two camps that have long been engaged in fighting. We have witnessed that there is real peace, and we believe in peace among the people of Eastern Equatoria state,” said Chungo.
“As parliamentarians, we go on the ground to resolve tensions. It is time for peace; without peace, there will be no development. We must ensure that conflicts are addressed to pave the way for development,” he added.
Felix Ewot, the Peace Building Officer for SPIDO in Eastern Equatoria state, stated that the year-long conflict in Bur Payam was sparked by rampant cattle theft in the northern part of Torit County.
“The agenda is peace, particularly in Oronyo village. This is a peace dialogue between the two camps that fought last year. They have identified the root cause of the fighting as cattle theft, and they have agreed to end hostilities,” said Ewot.
“We are engaging the communities in dialogue; they have identified the root causes of the conflict and expressed a willingness to bring peace to their communities. They have agreed to achieve lasting peace,” he added.
Sefiano Michael Oling, the Executive Director of Torit County, explained that the conflict between Iyu and Isaru camps in Bur Payam was instigated by cattle theft committed by some criminals across the county.
“We have mobilised the two parties in conflict, and they have accepted peace. We agree to stop issues of cattle theft; whoever is caught red-handed will pay in kind. If you steal one goat, you will pay three goats, and after repaying, you will be subjected to the law,” said Oling.
