In a significant step towards ending more than three years of conflict, youth leaders of the Ngok Dinka community of Abyei and the Twic Dinka community of Warrap State in South Sudan have signed an agreement committing to an immediate cessation of hostilities. They also agreed to the reopening of key routes enabling free, secure movement of people and goods, and pledged to collaborate on countering mis-disinformation and hate speech.
The resolutions were adopted at the end of a four-day dialogue attended by key peace partners, including UNISFA, UNMISS, Concordis International, UNESCO, and FAO, community leaders as well as the South Sudan Council of Churches. During the discussions, the youth representatives engaged in open and frank conversations seeking ways to silence the guns and forge a path to peace and peaceful coexistence.
Delegates expressed gratitude for the support from the partners throughout the year-long process. They pledged to lead grassroots mobilization for peace, organize joint community activities—including sports—and resist political manipulation.
The Under Secretary for Peacebuilding, Philip Michael Pia, welcomed the Dialogue and reminded the youth of their key role in shaping their future, adding that the dialogue sets the stage for the youth to discuss issues related to resolving conflict between the communities. He implored the youth to recognize that to achieve sustainable peace, they must invest in peacebuilding.
Convened at the request of youth leaders from both sides, the conference saw the participation of 16 women leaders from the two communities as well as representatives from cattle camps.
UNISFA and UNMISS reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the full implementation of the resolutions to sustain peace, rebuild trust, and strengthening dialogue and intercommunal harmony in the Abyei Administrative Area and Warrap State.
Since 2022, a devastating conflict between the two, who share deep historical ties, has led to deaths, injuries, largescale civilian displacement and the destruction of property on both sides.