Lakes' Agaar-Pakam and Warrap's Luanyjang sign peace - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan

By Manyang Mayom

March 23, 2010 (WUNLIT) – The communities of Dinka Agaar-Pakam of Rumbek North County of Lakes State and Luanyjang of Tonj East County of Warap State have agreed to settle their differences on Tuesday at the end of a three day peace and reconciliation conference held in Wunlit payam of Tonj East County.

: Tonj East County chief signs Wunlit peace (photo by Manyang Mayom - ST)

The signing of the March 23 peace reconciliation was witnessed by two commissioners and GOSS Minister of Public Services Awut Deng.

Chiefs used their thumbs to sign and youth from both sides’ hands were washed with water as a traditional African sign of reconciliation. The two counties’ commissioners signed the peace framework as witnesses.

The peace and reconciliation conference between the two communities was held under the theme "Together we can bring Stability and Development" in Wunlit. Rumbek North and Tonj East are badly affected by lack of drinking water as well as domestic animals.

The root causes of the problem between the feuding youth of the two counties are water scarcity, the incidence of pregnancy of girls among the two communities during the migration season, land disputes, poverty, misunderstanding and rumors between the communities, cattle theft, availability of guns in the hands of civilians, and lack of responsibility from leaders/elders.

The deputy executive director of the organization PACT Sudan, Alfred Okech, who mediated in the talks, said that the conference was initiated by the two sides of the conflict which he said related to issues of water and grazing land.

The reconciliation conference was attended by Warrap caretaker governor Salva Mathok Geng, GOSS Minister of Public Services Awut Deng Acuil, and both counties’ commissioners, Isaac Mayak Noah of Rumbek North and John Mayiik Bath Geng of Tonj East as well as over 800 communities leaders of both sides.

The representative of the government of Southern Sudan to the conference, Minister Awut Deng Acuil, affirmed that accessibility to water is the main problem and that the government of Southern Sudan is exerting efforts to resolve the problem of water between this two counties neighbouring each another.

Earlier, more than 1800 heads of cattle were recovered from the north of Lakes state to Warrap state.

: Tonj East County Commissioner John Mayiik (left) and Rumbek North County Commissioner Isaac Mayak Noah (right)

Executive Chief of Tonj East County Mading Dhior said that "I am happy - I welcome you all and I greet you all. We have destroyed ourselves for long and are tired of killing and for this the reason we have gather here to seek ways forwards to solve our problems. Both communities if you have gathered here today let us find solutions. I will stop here and thank you all."

Bai Mayuoth, an elder representing Gapagok payam of Tonj East, said "I greet you my people from Pakam, I am not going to say a lot because we had done the same talking in Rumbek and after two days later we fought again. Our cattle that have been taken have not gotten lost because we have nephews and nieces on both sides who are going to get married and the cattle are going to come back.

"You, the executive, you should have caught the thief because you know them since you know everyone in your community. My people, let us stop fighting among ourselves again since we have agree to reconcile with each another," he said.

The PACT country representative, Judy Alison, said that PACT is known to many of the people in this region because they did the first conference here in 1999. Rev. Lora was behind the conference and one thing that she told Ms. Alison was that "peace cannot happen if the people of the communities cannot come together."

The NGO representative added that the 1999 Wunlit conference laid the framework for the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and other peace conferences that were done later by the people around the country. "This conference was done without the government of National Unity and GOSS. I am happy to be here. I am going to support you in any way that would be best. It is through the support of the British government we are able to do this conference."

Chief Manyiel Lieny of Agar-Pakam greeted the people of both sub-tribes, saying "I am happy today since the conference has been brought to Wunlit again and I hope it is going to be successful like the one with Nuer. We have accepted peace for long."

(ST)

16 Forum messages

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 03:42, by Wal P Muoranyar Biet

That is really a great news. Excellent job to both commisioners. We have tried killing and hatred for far too long, but that haven’t earned anyone any thing. It is time to try peace, that may give us a chance to send either Luanyjang or Pakaam to the moon, meaning we may get chance to educate ourselves and develop our lands which have been known for underdevelopment and backwardness. Thumbs up my people. What God made, no one can undo it. It is God’s pleasure that Pakaam and Luanyjang exist. No one can wipe them out. Finding a way to co-exist is the only way forwards, after all, we are part of Southern Sudanese power. Grinding ourselves up means our weakness in the face of real enemies. Long live Pakaam Wol, Long live Luany Aguer Adel Makol.

Wal Muoranyar Biet

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 04:40, by MADIT MAJAK CHOL

This is a good sign for Agaar, and Lauanyjang to sign peace agreement, but still Lake State, and Warrap governors, and commissioners have much to do for insecurity for both States.

Yirol people have to do the same thing like what Agaar, and Luanyjang did because that is awesome spirit to live in peaceful way not in violence like what you guys are doing in Yirol. Atuot, Apaak, and Ciec have to put their differences aside and come together and develop a good spirit for the people of Yirol.

My best goes to Agaar, and Luangjang for great job they did to consider a peace among themselves.

God bless

By: - Abraham Madit Majak
- Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 13:09, by Julia Anok
  
  Good news for Pakam and Luanyjang i wish it to be the everlasting peace.Unlike the nonstop violences going on in easten part of lakes state between Ciec and Apaak/Atuot which colony rule have upper hand on it,the compensation of Ciec land to Apaak community due to massacre cared on by Ciec on Apaak community make it difficult for Apaak politicians to understand that,they British colony known that Human being do exist in less than a century that why they compensated it currently for 40 years knowing that your primitive tribemen are valueless to land.If you didn’t go deeper to find the cause root of a problems and you begun to solved the yesterday problems mean that you are solving nothing,that is the promblem between two communities i mention above,If Ciec politicians are just sleeping without helping community to take this case to Sepreme court to get it back with sepreme court signature,where do you think would peace come from?
  
  Dear Madit Majak as for your previous comment i read somewhere else as you quote saying that why people fight because of land and cattles? if you don’t fight for the land,what thing would you fight for? As for the case of cattles theft Ciec are defending themselves and properties from parasites groups of Atuot/Apaak.
  - Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 27 March 01:29, by MADIT MAJAK CHOL
    
    Dear Julia Anok,
    
    I think somewhere you got the comment I made and asked a question about “why people fight the in Yirol is because of Land and Cattles”? I did explained it why i ask that, and I am gone saying it again. The reason why I asked that question is because we are the same people we could not fight against each other. Yes fighting over land is very important to human being and that is why we are fighting with Arab, because they are trying to invade our land. But the different is atout/Apaak, and Ciec are the same community we should not fighting each others.
    
    To let you know I am from Ciec, and couple months ago Atout and Apaak they looming my family cattle in Yirol area and they didn’t return them back yet. The reason why I give you this example is because I don’t want to take aside; I want to speak out for unity these three tribes in Yirol could re-unite once again, because I don’t like the violence going on right now in our great Yirol. I know that Ciec are defending themselves from Atuot and Apaak, but again we are a new generation we should not support such a evil mind, but let us focused to rebuilding our lives, and our communities.
    
    those Yirol politician leaders they should not turn civilian against each other. They should be ashamed to themselves for what they did to Yirol people.
    
    Visit my web-site at
    
    www.rescuesudan.org
    
    Thank you
    
    Madit Majak
Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 04:51, by maumau

This is what we want to see happening in all states and counties where cattle thefts and killings have hampered development and human rights. Whis is left now is to see a similar thing happening in Jonglei, Unity and Lakes states where the number of thieves has doubled. Ok, we also got the same drama in our Eastern Equatoria state but it is the Kenyan Turkanas who always carry out those attacks on Toposa, the rest of the communities are calm and busy with progress and development . Stop looking at the cow of somebody as if they should be yours, if you want to own, then buy or work for and you will be given a calve. MAUMAU
- Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 04:52, by maumau
  
  This is what we want to see happening in all states and counties where cattle thefts and killings have hampered development and human rights. What is left now is to see a similar thing happening in Jonglei, Unity and Lakes states where the number of thieves has doubled. Ok, we also got the same drama in our Eastern Equatoria state but it is the Kenyan Turkanas who always carry out those attacks on Toposa, the rest of the communities are calm and busy with progress and development . Stop looking at the cow of somebody as if they should be yours, if you want to own, then buy or work for and you will be given a calve. MAUMAU

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 04:39, by Matot de Akech Matot

That is very fantastic good news to heard that Pakam and Luanyjang (Aguer Adel) to sign their reconciliation peace between two great counties . Thanks guys and be in peace like that .
Cheers Matotdit

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 05:59, by Thonkiir

Congratulation both Agaar of Rumbek North and Luanyjang of Tonj East county.
For the good example you have shown today, peace is only solulation that
can bring people together and stay harmony. But somes peace are become unsuccessful due to misconduct or facilited by some political’s wrong ideologies of which hiding other secret things then later on the fighting breakout.

In addition, I wish you guy not let your peace be like "Yirol peace initiative"
being done by David Deng Athorbei, current minister of finance in the government of South Sudan. The reason was not that Mr.Deng made his people back to war intentionly, but he has failed to find out the root cause before involves in the peace process this is the main factor make our peace unsuccessful.(Problem-solving is very important to discuse major factors you have seen around bring both parties into misunderstanding after that, you peace makers will be able introduce reconciliation. In my opinion I like the initiative peace, but I would consider this after one to two years
without hearing any problems happening between both two communities who have sign this peace.
- Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 12:54, by david kong paul
  
  My people,
  
  Let’s just hope for good thing in our society. I am really excited to hear this peace agreement signed b/n these two factions of Agaar and Luanyjang and this will be a good example to all Southeren Sudanses localties. Let’s hope they do the same in Jonglei, Warrap and Unity States.
  
  I would urge all of us to preach peace in our respective communities so that they know what it means to stay at peace with each other. Forexample, without intervention of some influential individuals do we think those villagers could sign this peace? They couldn’t! so please let’s go do it the same way!!!!
  
  Thanks
  - Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 26 March 16:49, by Takpiny
    
    Thanks to Pakam and Lounyjang communities for their brotherhood faith they have shown today, I believe that what is going on between south communities now not a punishment form God but something southerners create it through their behaves and they can stop any time if they will and this is what happened today between these two neighbouring communities .
    
    Also my thanks goes to Awarap state caretaker governor for his presented at that important event between communities unlike unproductive and lazy lakes state caretaker who didn’t attend nor to sent his deputy to where reconciliation was taking place . I do not know what care he is taking …OH I remember might be he takes care about money and not the people.
    
    To Madit Majak , Julia Anok and Thonkiir I share the same frustrations with you but to make it clears. The solution of Yirol conflict will not be achieve unless Yirolist intellectual start to reconcile at first because the misunderstanding was stating from politician in cities before they export it in to villages for implementations . What is going on in Yirol district is a conflict of benefits the ordinaries citizens have been forces to fight each other for unknown reasons.
    
    Remember the Yirol east community bordering unity state county of Panyiyar are enjoying a good neighbouring relationship if compare to trouble and unfriendly relationship between those who claimed themselves that they are district mate.
    
    There were problems between Agaar community, Rembek east and Wulu but they got solutions because there were no politicians involved .
    - Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 27 March 06:24, by Thonkiir
      
      Dear Madit Majak,
      
      I am very sorry for your question that why people fight for land/cattle. Thank Julia the way she answered it, I am happy with her comments always she know the differences. But if I were Miss.Julia and Mr.Taping your question suppose not to answer. Because is it too silly question.
      
      Dear Madit, I would ask you a simple question, where do born atually in USA or CIEC land? Why you doesn’t konw the function of land? Let me teling you that the land is the life there if you don’t know why were we been fought with they Arab for two decades and half. That was the land problem, as Dr.Garang De Mabior, has told people of Abyei that everything lost in the war is found however, land is not something easy to it back from where it has goes. Madit, please be careful on how you comment.
      
      Don’t you think you are supporting the unity among people of Yirol. But you are telling lie, unity start at home then to other step and go to the level you talking about. I personally, not supporting violent games but if see unfair thing I must give people of East their right, is there any question? What going on in Yirol is self-evidence who hasn’t know?
      - Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 27 March 20:21, by MADIT MAJAK CHOL
        
        Dear Thonkiir,
        
        To answer your question I was born in Ciec Land, and I know how important of the land more than you do. I also know the conflict between Ciec, and Apaak way back 40s or 50s years ago when Britain ruled Sudan. If you are from Yirol, both of us know about story between Ciec and Apaak. What are you saying? Are you telling me that Ciec try to get back their land from Apaak? If so, the time period end, people should not fight each other, but follow the law by negotiating in peaceful way not killing one another.I think the situation in Yirol right now is not because of land. people are fighting on the cattle, and misunderstanding word “development, and bad politic.” Let me ask you a question, what Land do Atuot,Apaak, and Ciec are fighting against each others? Can you tell me that what land exactly people are fighting for in Yirol? You need to understand the comments I made because it seem like you are focusing on the negative part of the problem; and that is the reason why violence increasing in Yirol because of people like you are supporting the violent. But if we stand together anf talk in positive way, the problem in Yirol will never reach in the statue people are in right now. Do you understand what I am tried to tell you here? Because you look like don’t understand what am saying.
        
        How do you know that i am lying? That I am not supporting unity in Yirol? If I am not supporting unity, why I am saying those words unity, peace huh? “You said, you don’t support violent game” but you disagree with my comments I made and all my words are talking about a peace and united in Yirol. Who is lying now? Who you are to give people right and you don’t support peace. People who have open minded should not support criminal act, and wrong doing in Yirol. Ciec are my people and I don’t like what atuot/apaak doing for attacking Ciec community; but again we cannot support the violent,but to show them that we are escapable of violent but peace. I am proud to Yirol east community for a good neighboring relationship they have with their neighbor and I am support them to keep doing that good spirit they have. Thank you for the warning my friend I will be very careful because we have stupid people in our community who don’t understand right from wrong.
        
        Peace out!!!

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 27 March 05:13, by Young Nation

Let me first of all thank and praise the great people of both Agar Wuol Athian and the Luangjang of Aguer Adel for their successful diplomacy. We hope this peace last forever.

Secondly, my second thank and appreciation goes to the auhtorities of both Warrap and lakes States in general and to North Rumbek and Tonj East respectively. However, the Agar Pakam and Luangjang citizens and the entire southern Sudanese are eager to see the peace ushering in most parts of the South with similar border tensions.God bless the people of Agar and Luangjang in particular and the Southerner Sudanese and their leaders in general.

Young Nation is a son of Pakam Wuol writing from the University of Queensland, Brisbane

Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 27 March 19:09, by MADIT MAJAK CHOL

Dear Thonkiir,

To answer your question I was born in Ciec Land, and I know how important of the land more than you do. I also know the conflict between Ciec, and Apaak way back 40s or 50s years ago when Britain ruled Sudan. If you are from Yirol, both of us know about that story. What are you saying? Are you telling me that Ciec try to get back their land from Apaak? If time pored end, people have to negotiating in peaceful way not killing one another. I think the situation in Yirol right now people are not fighting because of the land they are fighting on the cattle, and misunderstanding word “development.” Let me ask you a question, what Land do Atuot, or Apaak try to take from Ciec, or Ciec try to take land from Atuot or Apaak? Can you tell me that what land exactly people are fighting for Yirol now in Yirol? You need to understand the comments I made because it seem like you are focusing on the negative part of the problem; and that is the reason why violence increasing in Yirol because of people like you are supporting the situation. But if we talk in positive way, the problem in Yirol will never reach the statue people are in right now. Do you understand what I am tried to tell you here? Because you look like don’t understand what am saying.

How do you know that i am lying I am not supporting unity in Yirol? If I am not supporting unity, why I am saying those words huh? “You said, you are supporting violent game” but you disagree with my comments I made and all my words are talking about a peace in Yirol. Who is lying now? Who you are to give people right and you don’t support peace. Ciec are my people and I don’t like what atuot/apaak doing for attacking Ciec community. I am support Yirol east community for a good neighboring relationship they have with their neighbor. Thank you for the warning my friend I will be very careful because we have stupid people in our community who don’t understand dame things.

Peace out!!!
- Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 28 March 09:01, by Thonkiir
  
  Dear Madit,
  
  It is big surprie today for a man to denied his own word he have been said. I really get confuse how to explain your saying. While this word was quoted from your previous comment somewhere, why people fight for land and cattle. Thank God dear Madit, your question has already answered by Julia Anuok, telling you "If you not fight for land what would you fight for"? Please if you fail to understand the informations. Keep in mind next time first, before you write anything what the writer talking about.
  
  Finally, I would not bother my self to remind on something you don’t know. While you are someone who know the history between Apaak/Atuot VS Ciec conflict. All questions you asked me were oginated from your comment not me created. Otherwise get back to read Miss.Julia Anuok comment, you would find where you are wrong or right and leave me alone I was just try to make you better from wide community, instead of betraying them that way. "E.g your community have stupid people you have said this. Why do you abusing yourself I am sorry for such people to be with to me in the same community
  - Lakes’ Agaar-Pakam and Warrap’s Luanyjang sign peace 28 March 16:29, by Julia Anok
    
    Let me make it short here to Madit Majak on his saying that people are not fighting now because of land but cattles! there is no different from what i stating above with the current situation back home.Apaak do believe that if their fore-father fight for the land untill the got current compensation and the land have not been return back, why not we to enrichment ourselves with theirs cattles? this according to my understanding, you have your own understanding. Five years ago Atuot copy it from Apaak to rename places of Ciec land with name of invader but they were chase out untill they surrender themselves to Western Equatoria. is that not land?