Twic-Ngok dialogue concludes with calls for end to fighting

JUBA – The three-day dialogue held in Western Bahr el Ghazal State’s capital Wau between the communities of Ngok Dinka and Twic Mayardit has ended this evening with calls from participants to the “the community fighters of both sisterly communities to stop the deadly fighting.”

The peace dialogue was initiated by the two warring communities themselves, funded by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and facilitated by the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO).

In a communique extended to Sudans Post following the conclusion of the dialogue this evening, the communities said they acknowledge the suffering of their people and openly deliberated on the issues that has taken the two communities to the conflict which has polarized many from the poor to the rich politician in Juba.

“Having constructively and openly deliberated on the issues that divided the sisterly communities (Ngok Dinka of Abyei and Twic Dinka of Warrap State), we have acknowledged the suffering and pains that we caused to our communities due to continues violence in the last eight months which has claimed the lives of our beloved ones, loss of properties and massive displacement,” the communique said.

The communique called on “the community fighters of both sisterly communities to stop the deadly fighting” and urged “all sons and daughters of both sisterly communities to abstain from hostile propaganda and hate speeches and to promote culture of peace.”

The communique called on “the elites and politicians to play a more robust role in promoting dialogue and peaceful coexistence among the two sisterly communities and called for a “preparatory dialogues in each community (Twic and Ngok) for the holding of the inclusive dialogue for declaration of the cessation of hostilities.”

It further urged “both communities to continue allowing humanitarian access and workers deliver assistance to the IDPs without any form of restriction.”