Aiming to maintain peaceful co-existence, two neighbouring communities from South Sudan and Sudan today started meeting in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State capital Aweil.

Over 200 participants, from the Malual Dinka community in the state and from the Misseriya in Sudan’s West Kordofan State, are attending the three-day meeting ahead of the seasonal migration early next year.

The annual peace conference is intended to discuss migration routes for the nomadic Misseriya communities, as well as to review previous agreements signed by the two communities

“Most of the conferences involve the migration of animals that normally come to Northern Bahr el Ghazal,” said William Kolong Pioth, the State Peace Coordinator. “We will also discuss a few issues regarding trade and … our coexistence as bordering communities.”

A similar conference will be held in Aweil between the Malual Dinka of Aweil North and Aweil West counties and the Rizeigat of Eastern Darfur State in Sudan.

Meanwhile, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Deputy State Governor said at another forum today that his government was committed to working in partnership with the UN and other partners for the smooth delivery of humanitarian and developmental services in the state.

Speaking at a meeting attended by government officials and representatives from UNMISS, UN agencies and other non-governmental organizations, Akot Deng Akot also assured the partners of security.

“The security situation across Northern-Bahr el Ghazal State is under the full control of the government,” he said. “Your safety in areas under our control is one hundred per cent assured.”

UNMISS State Coordinator Koliab Nahataba also pledged that the mission would continue to work with the state government.

“UNMISS with the partners remains committed to the protection of civilians; facilitating peace and security in the state; delivery of human assistance and laying foundation for the long term development,” he said.

Mr. Nahataba added that the partners would also work with the government to ensure that they could hold the forum more regularly than before to have more in-depth discussions.