The UNMISS civil affair division and the leaderships of Koch Leer and Mayendit counties all in Southern unity State of South Sudan have commenced a week long peace conference in Koch County on Sunday.
Koch County commissioner Mr. Gordon Koang Biel says the ongoing peace conference is targeting to end protracted communal violence, revenge killing, cattle raiding and other unfriendly conducts among the subject counties.
“We started this peace conference on Sunday and we shall end on Friday this Week with offering of cattle in Limpuot spiritual origin as a blessing and to lay foundation of new era of peaceful coexistence among the neighboring Counties.
During the week long peace conference, discussions on cattle raiding, death compensation, revenge killing and freedom of movement among the three conflicting communities will top the debate according to Gordon.
“In the conference we shall agree to establish joint community court to deal with unruly characters , we the three commissioners, have agreed on principle to lasting peace for our communities, we expect no more fighting in Southern unity after this conference in Koch,” said Koch commissioner.
The commissioner added that they have all agreed to return to their rightful owners all cattle raided between March to July 2022.
“Those cattle which were raided in March this year will be returned to their owners and I urge those whose cattle were looted by the bandits to look for where the animals are and give us notification so that we can issue an order for it to be returned back,” said Koang.
A 45-year old man, Deng Mayiel who is attending the Peace conference told Juba Echo that the conference began with a football competition between Koch Youths and Mayendit youths followed by Mayendit youths and Leer Football Match in which there was a huge presence of ecstasy from both participants and the spectators.
“Tens of thousands gathered in Koch football ground to celebrate the peace conference, according to the speeches from the commissioners and the communities’ youths’ representatives, this conference will finally cement lasting peace among the three communities since they agreed on principle to death compensation and to return raided cattle back to the owners,” Mr. Deng said.
Last Month UN Civil Affair said that they will continue to facilitate community peace conferences to allow free movement of civilians among the neighboring counties of Southern Unity especially Leer, Koch and Mayendit count
This particular peace conference has in attendance several dignitaries such as commissioners of all the aforementioned Counties, humanitarian peace partners, Police commanders, SSPDF representatives and others.
