![Community Representatives from Unity State's Panyijiar County and Yirol East County of Lakes State post for a photo after signing 21 peace protocols. [Photo by Sudans Post]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DSC4059.jpg?resize=1024%2C575&ssl=1)
The dialogue, organized by the Ministry of Peace Building in collaboration with PAX, a Dutch peacebuilding organization, and UNMISS, aimed to address issues of cattle raiding, revenge attacks, cattle theft, and gender-based violence between the two states.
Participants included state ministers, state MPs, directors general, county commissioners, chiefs, women, and cattle keepers leaders from both states.
The dialogue resulted in the signing of 21 resolutions, covering topics such as cattle theft, road ambushes, the establishment of a border court, and the apprehension of criminals from both states.
The theme of the dialogue was “Living in Peace with Neighbors,” sponsored by PAX’s South Sudan programs and UNMISS’ Community Action Division for Lakes and Unity states.
Peter Gatchak Both, community chief of Panyinjiar County, expressed his gratitude for the peace dialogue, saying he “came to Lakes State for a peace dialogue with neighboring counties. Peace is very important in our community.”
“I thank the NGOs, peace partners, UNMISS, and PAX who organized this peace dialogue in Yirol of Lakes State. Such a peace initiative will bring unity among the community in South Sudan,” he added.
He also urged the government to provide network connectivity to Panyijiar County.
Chief Malek Aguet of Amongpiny Payam in Rumbek Centre County emphasized the importance of the dialogue in addressing the issue of cattle raiding organized by youths between Lakes and Unity states.
“This is why we are here with chiefs, community elders, intellectuals, and youth from Panyijiar County so that we discussed peace among the youth because these youths do kill themselves, children, and women over cattle,” he stated, stressing that such violence would not bring peace and stability to South Sudan.
Kuer Dhuor Machar, paramount chief of Yirol East County, highlighted the significance of the dialogue in fostering peace between Lakes and Unity states.
“We have agreed to live in peace. We have resolved some few resolutions that will take our peace forward,” he said.
He acknowledged that there had been disruptions in the past but emphasized the importance of the agreed-upon resolutions. Machar also called for improved road connectivity and network infrastructure between the two counties to support peace efforts.
Ira Emmanuel Dila Damugi, Country Director of PAX South Sudan, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the dialogue and the signing of 21 peace resolutions. He highlighted the importance of these resolutions in addressing issues such as cattle recovery and justice for victims of crime. Damugi emphasized the need for both traditional and formal justice systems to play a role in identifying and holding criminals accountable.
Nyanhok Malou Marial, the minister of peace building in Lakes State, expressed her belief in the sustainability of the peace dialogue.
She praised the ideas and contributions made by both states and the resolutions they had reached. Marial emphasized the importance of implementing the signed resolutions and stressed that peace was a shared responsibility.
Gabriel Majok Bol, commissioner of Panyinjiar County, reaffirmed the commitment of both Unity and Lakes states to peace and the implementation of the agreed-upon resolutions. He emphasized that random killings and cattle raiding would no longer be tolerated.
