Members of the feuding communities follow proceedings at the reconciliation meeting
Life before 1984 was nothing short of peaceful for communities of Torit East, Torit and Geria counties, located in Eastern Equatoria. Life was easy, inter-marriages were more commonplace, hunting and fishing grounds... even grazing fields and water points were all shared without much worries.
“Most of us were born and initiated into the Monyomiji [traditional governing body made up of youth] here,” said Ojok Mulai of Haforiere [Torit East]. “My grandmother’s land is here, and my in-laws are also here,” he added.
Between 1984 and 2017 however, unexplained circumstances surrounding cattle raids led to serious disagreements between these neighbours. Again, tensions would occasionally flare up about disagreements over a shared fishing ground at River Ingama at Awara. A vicious cycle of revenge attacks ensued.
“In 2016, both Haforiere and Olianga [of Torit East] joined forces to raid us,” said James Ohisa from Geria county.
“Between 1997 and 2019 Olianga, Ogurunyi and Ofi, [again, all from Torit East] perpetrated killings and cattle raids in our community,” said Guido Ohisa of Haforiere.
“Between 1994 and 2017, we suffered a series of cattle raids at the hands of Haforiere,” said Karton Jacob, representing cattle herders of Torit county.
“Between 1993 and 2006, Hilieu [Torit county] committed grievous atrocities against us,” countered Guido Ohisa.
In the absence of a formal dialogue, communities resolved to keep their distance to maintain some peace.
Nonetheless, after months of intensive consultations with communities, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan partnered with the Union of Monyomiji and local government authorities, to bring all parties together to dialogue for peace at a 3-day forum in Geria county.
“We are happy to see that many of you travelled long distances to arrive here. Your attendance is a sign that you are already prepared for peace,” said Bashir Aligelle, a representative of the peacekeeping mission.
About 200 community leaders made up of chiefs, women leaders, kraal leaders, youth leaders and government representatives were present at the dialogue.
“Some of our challenges demand that we make compromises. For example, the statutes of limitation for some crimes are well overdue. We need to move on,” said Hakim Paride, of the Union of Monyomiji.
“We should not leave anything unresolved from this meeting,” said Guido Ohisa.
“If we track wrongs committed as far back as the 80s, it will be difficult to resolve our differences,” cautioned Eliah Oduwa of Imotong [Geria county].
“Some of the killings were not intentional. It started as a joke between friends but ended in tragedy,” said Michael Mujang of Haforiere. “My family is still paying for the compensation owed the bereaved. Why? Because I have already married from this area. I want peace,” he added.
The joint agreement signed detailed ending all forms of hostilities, compensating bereaved families in conformity with each community’s tradition, recovering raided cattle [this will not hold if any two communities have raided each other in the past] and establishing a security mechanism for road safety, among others.
“I am happy that we slept overnight here and had no fears that we will be attacked,” said Ojok Mulai.
“We have rescued their hunters who lost their way and reconciled before. We will work towards peace,” said Allam James of Geria county.
County authorities, communities and the Monyomiji have been tasked to ensure enforcement of provisions in the agreement, and issue binding sanctions on any party that contravenes it.
“We have all done wrong. Generations upon generations may not be able to compensate for all the cows raided or the lives lost,” said Richard Oterra, of Haforiere. “Let us just reconcile and move on!”
The peacekeeping mission continues to work with the people, government and the Monyomiji to monitor implementation of provisions of the said agreement.