10 February 2015 - To boost peaceful co-existence among host and immigrant communities in Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, representatives of the Dinka Malual and Misseyria tribes today attended a meeting in Warawar town, Aweil East County.

Aimed at disseminating the 2015 pre-migration resolutions to the two communities, the meeting was organized by the non-governmental organization Nonviolent Peaceforce, Warawar Peace Committee and UNMISS.

About 40 participants, including community chiefs, women, religious leaders, local government officials, civil society representatives and members of the organized forces, attended the meeting.

“Peace brings new knowledge and skills from different parts of the world,” said committee chairman Deng Luol Akuei. “We must leave a good legacy of peace for (future) generations.”

He narrated the advantages of peace in the area, noting that development was one of the outcomes of peace.

“(Owing to) peace (between the Dinka Malual and the) Misseyria since 1991, the international community constructed this hall where we are today,” he said, giving an example of a hall constructed by the United States Agency for International Development.

“A country without peaceful women, youths and elders never grows,” he added. “We learned (that) lesson from years of war, painful killing, abduction, cattle raid and destruction.”

The communities resolved that the Misseyria would only access the area through three entry points and that their cattle should be vaccinated at these entry points.

Other resolutions passed included prohibition of guns, respect for local laws, free movement of trade and access to water and pasture.

Both parties also committed to visit 20 locations along the border to distribute the agreement to local communities and Misseyria cattle camps before the post-migration conference.

Misseyria representative Bushra Ismael Bushra commended the Dinka Malual for hosting Misseyria traders and Nomads in the area since 1991. Pre- and post-migration conferences are held annually between January and June.

“Warawar market is known for peace all over the world,” he said. “This relationship will continue for the interest of two communities.”

Another participant, Akot Akuei, suggested that the international community should initiate similar communal dialogues between the Dinka Ngok and Misseyria.

Nonviolent Peaceforce officials reported that the organization had distributed 400 radios and were planning to distribute another 200 to relay useful information to communities.

UNMISS representatives made presentations on the mission’s mandate and the importance of peaceful coexistence.

“UNMISS is very happy with your cooperation as bordering communities,” said Civil Affairs Officer Adewuyi Adewumi. “We are here to consolidate peace efforts.”