Murle Community Youth Leader Calls For Peace

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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The Murle Youth Leader Paul Kuakuak Thewa, last Thursday told Gurtong in an exclusive interview that the Jonglei youths should be involved in the peace negotiations of the conflicting areas, in order to stop revenge games.

“Let us show a good example to our leaders, I would like to tell my fellow youths from Pibor County that revenge is not a solution but dialogue is the only way. Even if Lou Nuer destroyed our property they will not be proud that they have defeated Murle,” Kuakuak pleaded with the Lou Nuer youths.

“I would like to urge our brothers the Lou Nuer to be people of peace; they should not just react negatively. I would like to tell them that a country without us and them will not be South Sudan.”

The Youth leader was quick to state that the Murle and Lou Nuer conflict has changed in its dimension from cattle rustling due to the deadly weapons used. According to reports from Radio Miraya, there is a proposal for a new State to end the conflict. When Gurtong put the question to the youth leader, this is what he said;

“Our final decision is to divide Jonglei State. We are not branching away from South Sudan but for the sake of peace in South Sudan we feel that having a separate State can solve the conflict,” he said.

“We know that Lou Nuer are friends with the Dinka Bor, let them stay together.  We Murle and others calling for autonomy can stay together without problems with the government being the third party to solve the issue.” Paul said.

“We need both youth groups to be involved in the peace negotiations because we (Lou Nuer and Murle youth) need to understand what peace means. But this can happen when the war stops,” he added.

The Pibor County Information Secretary Mr. Kiringen Yoman told Gurtong on phone that the South Sudan Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny visited Lukwangole and Pibor to speak with the Murle to find a solution to the conflict. 

The Vice President urged the Non-Governmental Organizations operating in the area to return. He also requested the Lukwakgula residents to return to their respective homes as the situation is being monitored. The County authorities have asked the UN to supply food Aid to the displaced persons.

According to Yoman the people of Murle are prepared to demand a State of their own as one of the means to resolve the crisis. He echoed what the youth leader had recommended.

“The Government of South Sudan should give us another State. This will solve the problem and youths will get employment and desist from cattle raids,” Yoman said.