Communities In Pursuit Of Elusive Peace in Sudan

The two warring communities of Toposa and Larim are looking at ways of ending the long-standing hostilities between themselves.

A peace and reconciliation meeting held early this month in Kapoeta North County sought to highlight and address the factors contributing to their differences.

Pervious peace and reconciliation effort have bore no fruits as the agreements have been dishonoured by either side following flare-ups.

Cattle rustling has been reported as the biggest contributor to the inter-ethnic conflicts between the two communities, leading to loss of lives and destruction of property.

The Kapoeta North County Commissioner Lokai Iko Loteyo confirmed to Gurtong the peace and reconciliation meetings attended by the Commissioners of Kapoeta South and Budi sought to bring harmony between the two communities.

Meanwhile, Eastern Equatoria State’s Traditional Authority leadership will soon present a bill guiding its mandate to the state’s Council of Ministers for approval.

The Director General of the State Ministry of Local Government and Law Enforcement Abdallah Hassan Famai told Gurtong that he was concluding preparation of the bill for submission to the State Local Government Minister.

Upon adoption by the Council of Ministers, the bill, also called the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders Bill (COTAL Bill) shall then be presented to the lawmakers at the State Legislative Assembly for enactment.

The Council of Traditional Authority Leaders, comprising of 21 members, shall be a forum for dialogue and a consultative body at the state level on matters related to traditional authorities, customs, traditions, peaceful co-existence and their welfare of the communities it represents.