Dinka Malual and Misseriya peace conference kicks off in Aweil

By Hou Akot Hou

The annual peace conference between Dinka Malual of Northern Bahr El Ghazal State and Misseriya of neighboring Sudan has kicked off in Aweil town.

William Kolong Pioth, the Coordinator for Peace in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State told Juba Echo on Wednesday that more than 100 people from the two communities are attending the conference.

“This workshop has brought together Misseriya and Dinka chiefs, women, and youth in order to dialogue on how they can coexist along the border,” Kolong said.

The Misseriya always migrate during the dry season to Northern Bahr El GFhazal State in search of water and pastures which has often led to deadly clashes with Dinka Malual.

“What I have heard from the Misserriya is that some people do attack them at the grazing areas, loot and kill at will, these are pressing issues,” Kolong said.

Kolong said that grievances of the Dinka Malual accuse Misseriya of killing their people whenever they come to graze their cattle in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State.

 “We are going to discuss concrete resolutions on how best we can forge better understanding as we have been living for centuries at the border,” he said.

Kolong said the government of Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Southern Kordofan are building strong ties to enable their communities co-exist in peace.