YAMBIO – Youth leaders in Witto Payam of Mundri East County in Western Equatoria and Mundari cattle herders from Central Equatoria State have struck a fragile peace deal following days of deadly violence that left more than 20 people dead and hundreds displaced.
The breakthrough came during a tense community dialogue held on Wednesday in Mari’ba Boma, where representatives of the rival groups met in what participants described as a grassroots effort to halt escalating violence.
The meeting, chaired by Noel Abui Repent, followed clashes reportedly involving armed Mundari cattle herders that triggered killings, cattle raids, and mass displacement, and sharply rising tensions between the Mundari and Moru communities.
Speakers at the meeting sought to anchor the agreement in shared history, pointing to longstanding ties between the two communities, including intermarriage, cultural links, and overlapping borders. But the urgency of the talks reflected the scale of the recent violence, which has disrupted livelihoods and heightened insecurity across parts of Mundri East.
Under the deal, Mundari cattle herders currently grazing in Witto Payam agreed to vacate the area within seven days, in what local youth leaders framed as a key condition to prevent further clashes. The herders also issued an apology for the violence, displacement, and loss of lives and property, while committing to tracing and recovering stolen livestock and ensuring accountability for those responsible.
In return, youths from Witto Payam pledged to guarantee safe passage for the herders as they return to their areas of origin in Tali and Terekeka. The two sides also agreed to establish a joint coordination mechanism to monitor cattle movements and report violations to local authorities and traditional leaders.
Community leaders are now urging displaced residents to return home and resume farming activities, though concerns remain over security conditions on the ground.
Advocate John Thomas Abiaza, an advisor to the Jambo Area Community Association (JACA) Youth Wing, cautiously welcomed the outcome, saying it offers a pathway for recovery.
“I personally welcome the outcome of the meeting, which gives hope for our people to return to their homes and engage in agricultural activities,” he said, while calling on local authorities to reinforce the agreement through sustained dialogue.
Despite the deal, uncertainty persists, particularly in other flashpoint areas such as Minga and Lozoh, where violence has also been reported. A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity due to security concerns, warned that those areas remain volatile.
“Places such as Minga and Lozoh are still insecure until all groups commit to evacuation and dialogue,” the resident said.
Authorities say efforts are ongoing to contain the situation and extend similar peace engagements to other affected locations, as communities brace for the possibility of renewed clashes if the agreement fails to hold.
