Akobo Anyuak & Lou Nuer (Mor) Intellectual’s Peace Initiative Concluded with Decisive Resolutions

December 6, 2013 (BOR) -- The Anyuak and Nuer intellectuals held a three days’ workshop from 25th-27th November 2013 at Garden Resort Hotel in Bor, Jonglei State. The workshop was facilitated and implemented by the VISTAS program funded by USAID.

The Chairperson of Peace Commission of Jonglei State, James Apay, gave some welcoming remarks regarding what was expected of the participants to come up with as resolutions that would ensure a sustainable peace in Akobo, in general, and between the Anyuak and Nuer, in particular. And after giving a brief highlight of the expected outcome of the workshop, the commission chair invited Honorable Gabriel Gai Riam to officially open the workshop.

The Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Gabriel Gai Riam Wectuor, greeted the workshop participants and thanked the state governor who delegated him to open the workshop. He told the participants that the expected Guest of Honor, General John Kong Nyuon, Governor of Jonglei State, was absent because he was on his way to Juba for governors’ forum due to start on November 26, 2013. He also brought greetings from the Honorable Governor for the participants. Mr. Riam pointed out that the contents of the agenda promises issues that should lead to a peaceful co-existence of the two communities in Akobo. He also highlighted that the expected outcomes of the workshop would help the government of Jonglei State to find ways on how to solve Akobo issues and build a permanent peace in Akobo. The Guest of Honor warned the participants that no confrontation was expected of them as intellectuals, but the peace modalities to resolve the conflicts. He closed his speech by thanking the participants once again, and declared the workshop open.

The workshop was intended to bring both Anyuak and Nuer intellectuals of Akobo together in order to find a solution to recent incident that claimed the life of an Anyuak chief and two Anyuak women.  It at first thought the workshop would be geared on possible peace modalities for the two communities in Akobo. However, the Anyuak presentation changed the expected nature of the workshop and the climate became different. Hence, the role of the facilitation team changed from facilitation to mediation between the two groups. After three days of deliberation and negotiation, the groups came out with seven resolutions that are ready for implementation.

The following resolutions were reached and to be implemented by a peace committee to ensure a sustainable peace and sustainable development in Akobo:

1. Commend and affirm peaceful co-existence
2. Upholding the supremacy of the rule of law for the violators of individual rights through chiefs and other concerned authorities.
3. Role of intellectuals in bridging the gaps and build trust that should radiate at the grassroots.
4.  Smooth facilitation and resettlement of returnees and IDP’s with security and food supplies guaranteed by concerned authorities and organizations.
5. Recommend that the local authorities regulate protection of community crops.
6. Urging local authorities to implement policy of community policing
7. We recommend equitable sharing of burdens, benefits, and service.

A tentative action plan for comprehensive peace between Anyuak and Mor in Akobo was put in place by a negotiation team chaired by James Ochang Ojuch and let to the formation of Akobo Peace Committee. The size of the committee decided is 11 for both committees. Here the Nuer are six and the Anyuak five. However, for the Implementation Committee to be formed in Akobo, the number of Anyuak will be six and Nuer five.

1. Honorable Stephen Ogut Obongo, Chair
2. Kot Martin Mirich, Deputy
3. Lero Olok Odola, Secetary
4. Honorable Taban Juch, member
5. Tap Koat Wal
6. Pr. Bol Kuel
7. Pr.  James Oman Ochan
8. Nyemiim Row Wectuor
9. Abang Philip Okew
10. Moses Dhanojak Obongo
11. Pur Gok Dak

Official Closing Remarks from the Guest of Honor:

The Guest of Honor, Honorable Rachel Anok, Minister of Gender and Social Development, recognized the presence of national and state members of parliament, and all the workshop participants. The Guest of Honor assured the participants that nobody would bring the peace unless they advocate for it. She quoted a certain saying “If you do not build your house well, you will live in fear.” She likened this saying to the situation that prevails in Akobo. She stressed the issue of follow up as the most important one for any success. She further told the chiefs that this task of maintaining peace in Akobo lies in their hands and they should support it. The Guest of Honor acknowledged that she fell short of words because she was too happy and could not know what to say, and finally declared the workshop officially closed.