County commissioners’ forum ends with resolution to protect civilians

A five-day county commissioners’ forum organized by UNMISS Protection, Transition and Reintegration (PTR) in Bentiu town youth Centre has concluded with a resolution to protect civilians in Unity state.

During the forum, several challenges were identified, and these included a lack of justice and accountability to punish conflict instigators and perpetrators.

The forum was attended by seven county commissioners, state ministers, head of independent commissions, Transitional legislative assembly, police commission and division four commander and ended with the call on local courts and high court to punish perpetrators of conflict.

Guit county commissioner Kawai Chany Bur told Juba Echo that the purpose of the forum was to protect civilians and enforce accountability for any action against civilians.

“As seven Counties commissioner’s representative, we had agreed yesterday to protect civilians and we also agreed on a conference to be held between four counties of southern unity, especially Leer, Koch, Panyijiar and Mayiandit counties to iron out the last incident,” he said.

“We were 45 participants in the forum, and we discussed all civilians’ expectations including the formation of the mobile court to deal with cattle raiders and road robberies,” Chany said in an interview.

The protracted conflict in Southern unity has compelled peace partners to conduct the five-day forum to mitigate gross violation of human rights, looting, and suffering of innocent civilians.

UNMISS acting head of field Office in Unity state Paul Ebikwo promised that a conference would be held in southern unity to end communal violence.

“We will organize another dialogue in southern unity that will involve community leaders and four county commissioners, and the conference will reunite the conflicting community in the south of Unity state,” said Ebikwo.

Unity state advisor for SPLM Chuot Yier Koryom promised to establish a high court in the state to punish those who will continue to perpetuate violence.