UNMISS organises strategic security meeting in Duk Padiet, Greater Jonglei

Some 2,000 people, many in uniforms, met in Duk Padiet as UNMISS facilitated a peace-promoting security meeting.

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2 Sep 2019

UNMISS organises strategic security meeting in Duk Padiet, Greater Jonglei

Gideon Sackitey

The governor of Jonglei and officials from the wider region met on Friday for a one-day open security forum in Duk Padiet to promote peace and reconciliation among neighbouring communities in the area. facilitated by the United Missions in South Sudan (UNMISS) Bor Field Office.  

  “I wish to ask you all to refrain from violence and live in peace with each other. We have had enough conflict in our country,” said Duk Padiet Governor Maker Thiong Maal, addressing a crowd of about 2,000 people, some 500 of whom were women. 

The meeting, nimbly and proactively facilitated by the United Nations of South Sudan, was one of several recent diplomatic engagements attended by Maal to nurture a deeper cooperation and increased trade between neighbouring regions.

At the gathering, officials, locals, and members of civil society alike had the opportunity to raise their concerns about obstacles standing in the way of achieving durable peace. Several speakers mentioned criminal elements operating in Bor and its outskirts as one such complicating factor. 

Duk Padiet County Commissioner Mr. Elijah Manyok pointed to one particularly violent day in August, when seven people were killed and at least 320 cattle were raided. 

Youth leader Madcher Luk also shared his heartbreak over the recent raids and deaths, calling for continuous dialogue with members of the local Gawar Nuer ethnic group and other communities to quell tensions.  

Some participants urged the governor to appoint officials with a strong background in the security sector, reasoning that this would help to promote harmonious relations.