How to end violence in Jonglei?
Since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in January 2005, fighting has repeatedly erupted between the Lou Nuer, Murle and Dinka communities in Jonglei. The high death toll has spurred United Nations to urge local leaders to press for peace.
Inter-communal conflict killed an estimated 150 civilians and 14 soldiers in Walgak Payam, Akobo earlier this year. Meanwhile, the community of Lou Nuer attacked on Pibor County in 2012 allegedly killing over 3,000 civilians. In mid 2012 Murle youths also allegedly killed 350 people in Akobo.
Without this protection, hundreds of lives may be at risk.”
United Nations special representative of the Secretary General Hilde Johnson said the recent Walgak, Akobo attacks sparked thousands of civilians to flee their homes for camps run by the United Nations Mission In South Sudan (UNMISS).
During the violence in Pibor three thousand civilians sought refuge in UNIMSS bases, and were protected there for days. In Wau UNMISS protected more than five thousand civilians in camps,” Hilde said. Without this protection, hundreds of lives may be at risk.”
However, UNMISS remains curtailed in its responses to inter-community conflicts and cattle raiding attacks. But there are also limits to what we can do, and where we can operate.” Hilde said in a press conference on February 15.
The main responsibilities for the protection of civilians remain with the government and its national security forces, the SPLA and the South Sudan national police services; it is the government’s responsibility to provide security to the citizens of their country, she added.
She warned that stability was needed in the tense region of Jonglei. We are presently working with authorities to retrieve the stolen cattle, abducted women and children,” Hilde said, adding that a UN team is interviewing survivors at a field hospital to examine the causes of recent violence.
The government initiative to launch a process of national reconciliation and healing has great potential for nation building in South Sudan.”
The government initiative to launch a process of national reconciliation and healing has great potential for nation building in South Sudan, it creates a space to deepen understanding, trust and respect,” she said. It is essential, that the process is inclusive and broadly owned by all stakeholders.”
The Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan Riek Machar Teny, who hails from the Nuer Community, has made several bids for peace in Jonglei State.
Machar also led a delegation to Walgak Payam of Akobo County, following the recent attack on civilians. During the trip he underscored the government’s commitment to disarm the civil population of Jonglei to realise peaceful coexistence among Jonglei communities.
Upon his return to Juba, Machar met with the Murle leaders to discuss how to achieve a peaceful coexistence between the Lou Nuer and Murle and end insecurity in Jonglei State.
