Community Leaders in “Tonj East” Sign Agreement to End Violence and Reopen Blocked Roads

Warab – Al-Wadi Newspaper

Following a two-day community dialogue in Kuajok, the state capital, supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in cooperation with the Ministry of Peacebuilding and the Council of Churches, local community leaders from Tonj East County in Warrap State signed a collective agreement to end violence and reopen blocked roads.

This agreement comes after years of ongoing violence that have left hundreds dead and devastated the lives of thousands of families due to cycles of revenge killings, cattle raiding, and unresolved community disputes.

During the sessions, participants spoke with rare candor about the root causes of the conflict. Madut Dut Deng, a member of the state parliament, said:
“The lack of accountability is at the heart of the problem. When people are killed or their property is looted, no one is brought to justice and victims receive no compensation. Meanwhile, weapons remain in the hands of civilians and the government hesitates to intervene, fueling the cycle of retaliation.”

Women representatives spoke about the devastating impact of violence on families. Nyaruon Boi Mel, a women’s representative, stated:
“During night attacks, the assailants don’t discriminate, and the victims are often women and children. In one incident this year, we lost more than 200 lives, yet some people still value cattle more than human lives.”

The agreement includes a commitment to end violence, promote community reconciliation, and establish two committees to oversee implementation on the ground. It also outlines plans to launch a public awareness campaign encouraging the voluntary surrender of weapons in an effort to defuse tensions.

Adeoye Adeyemi, Acting Head of the UN Mission Office, said, “Peace cannot be imposed from the outside—it is a responsibility shared by all.” He reaffirmed the Mission’s support for community dialogue as an effective tool for achieving stability.
“Conflict is not foreign to us—it exists within our families, among our cousins and brothers. If we don’t take the initiative to stop it, nothing will change.”, National Parliament member Biot Makuei Biot noted.

This development marks the first positive step toward establishing peace in the region in years, raising widespread public hopes that these commitments will translate into tangible action on the ground.