Greater Kapoeta Peace Mission Intensifies Village Dialogue

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Greater Kapoeta Peace Committee’s chairperson, Mr. Paul Langa has disclosed that he’s been determined since he was commissioned by the State Government early last month to spearhead dialogue among warring communities in Greater Kapoeta Counties in Eastern Equatoria State.

Langa spent his Christmas holiday to unite the Toposa, Larim (Buya) and Didinga communities through village to village peace dialogue.

Among the areas where he conducted peace dialogue and reconciliation meetings in the first phase in Christmas holidays include;

On 26th December 2011- At Chukudum Church,

On 27th December 2011, – At Loriyok town (commonly known as Camp 15) accompanied by Budi County Commissioner Mr. Morris Merisiya Kaunda and other key County leaders. They discouraged cattle raids and counter raiding activities resulting into deaths and looting of innocent people’s cattle and properties.

On the same day they visited Napak zone alongside other key leaders en route to Kimotong Payam where they met the Larim community and shared approaches on peace building and promotion.

On 28 December 2011, they met several Toposa intellectuals and community opinion leaders in Kapoeta South County plus the Kapoeta South County Commissioner, Mr. Martin Lorika where they discussed about peace building initiatives. The reception was positive.
 
On the same day, they held another meeting at Natapar Boma of Kapoeta South County.

While speaking to Gurtong on Saturday the 31st of December 2011 at Kuleu Hotel in Kapoeta South County, accompanied by key leaders and some MPs from the County, Mr. Langa held a central meeting on peace dialogue aiming at reconciling Greater Kapoeta indigenous people at Namorunyang in Kapoeta South County. 
  
He revealed that his team had completed phase one and has now commenced the second phase of dialogue.  Mr. Langa clarified that they had conducted several meetings among different communities to acquaint themselves with the committee members.

In the second phase they have just begun, people’s opinions have been gathered for the way forward on future feasible recommendations to form a common approach perhaps lasting solution of peace. 
  
Recently, the State Governor, Hon. Louis Lobong Lojore issued a decree dated 5th December 2011, number 32/2011 in accordance with powers conferred upon him under article 100 (2) (h) of the Interim Constitution of EES 2008 forming a Peace and Reconciliation committee for Greater Kapoeta Counties;

Mr. Paul Langa Respicio was appointed as the chairperson with Mr. Martin Lopir Lotubae being the committee’s Deputy, Mr. Felix Oking, Mr. Anthony Gore, Mr. Abdallah Lokeno and Mr. Charles Lokonoi being members respectively.

The Committee’s Terms of References include;
1. Assisting the 4 greater Kapoeta’s County Commissioners  in returning stolen cattle and to help building peace and reconciliation among the affected communities as well as their neighbouring communities,
2. Identify the root causes of conflict and recommend possible ways of addressing it,
3. Work with all peace actors in the region,
4. Coordinate and report to both State peace committee and the office of State Governor,
5. Come up with peace and reconciliation programs,
6. Raise funds for peace and reconciliation meetings
7. Mobilize youths to do developmental activities rather than cattle raiding.