Murle leaders participating in an historic reconciliation conference have been urged by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) to resolve their political differences and work towards peace and development in the Jonglei region.

The conference in Pibor is being facilitated by UNMISS in support of local efforts to reach an amicable solution to ongoing conflict and intra-communal fighting in the area.

UNMISS Head of Field Office in Greater Jonglei, Deborah Schein, says the international community is committed to supporting and assisting reconciliation and peace building initiatives across the region.

“With peace comes development,” she told those present at the conference. “We the international community, can only support and assist. It is up to you, the Murle community, to reach an understanding on how to address the challenges confronting your society and provide solutions for lasting peace and development.”

UNMISS’ mandate in South Sudan is to protect civilians and build durable peace. However, peace will be difficult to achieve unless the violence ends.

 “There will never be peace or stability as long as cycles of violence continue. These cycles of violence, amongst other issues, have been driven by cattle raiding, child abduction, random killing of civilians, property destruction, and obstructing the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” said Deborah Schein.

The Head of the Peace Commission in Boma underscored the significance of the peace conference.

“This peace dialogue is very important because we want to have peace among ourselves and our neighbours because no one can live without their neighbor,” said the chair of the Peace Commission, Simon Korton.

The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) is mediating the fresh dialogue between key Murle political leaders as a continuation of previous peace meetings held at Kuron in Kapoeta facilitated by Bishop Paride Taban.

SSCC is committed to bringing peace to greater Pibor, which is predominantly inhabited by Murle, as well as the whole of Boma and the greater Jonglei region.

Murle traditional leaders have blamed politicians struggling for power for the inability to reach a peace agreement and are urging them to focus on the unity of the Murle community as well as future opportunities for development.

“The main intention of the church here is to make peace in greater Boma state with its neighbours like Bor, Akobo, and Kapoeta,” said Isaac Nyiding, the regional coordinator for the Greater Upper Nile branch of the SSCC.

Some Murle leaders at the conference emphasized the importance of their people uniting and speaking with one voice to tackle the challenges faced by the community.

“We want to have one voice as the leaders of this community and that is what our top leaders discussed in Kuron and we have to adopt the same here so that we are united and support each other in the leadership,” said Simon Gayin, the Minister of Local Government and Law Enforcement in Boma.

Other partners involved in supporting the dialogue alongside UNMISS include SSCC, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Finn Church Aid (FCA), Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) and OXFAM.