Arop Jonchol
North Bahr el Ghazal—Al-Wadi Newspaper
A three-day peace conference between the Dinka Malual and Misseriya communities began on Wednesday in the town of Wanyjok, the administrative center of Aweil East County.
The conference, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), aims to address migration issues and the challenges faced by Misseriya pastoralists ahead of their seasonal return to their territories.
The gathering marks a significant step toward revisiting previous agreements between the two communities, which share a history marked by rivalry and conflict.
The conference seeks to foster greater understanding and strengthen cooperation.
In his opening remarks, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Governor Simon Ubier Mawut emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence between the two groups.
He urged all participants to approach disagreements with a spirit of mutual understanding reach lasting solutions.
*”You have lived along this border for decades and know each other well. Our goal is to build a sustainable peace between you,”* he stated.
Governor Mawut also cautioned against incidents of violence occurring before or after the cattle migration season, stressing that such events undermine peace efforts and send the wrong message to communities.
Community leader Makwaj Kuol Makwaj expressed gratitude to the state government and UNMISS for facilitating the event, affirming the community’s commitment to peace and coexistence.
*”We have signed several agreements with our brothers from Sudan, including the Misseriya and Rezeigat. Most conflicts arise from a few troublemakers on both sides,” he said.
Despite the positive intentions of the conference, questions remain about whether it will lead to a comprehensive review of existing agreements. Concerns have surfaced about allegations that some government officials are accepting “blood compensation” payments—seen by critics as a means of personal enrichment at the expense of the Misseriya during disputes.
