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South Sudan Proposes Traditional Leadership Conference to End Conflicts
an article by Sudan Tribune
Juba, August 27, 2011 — The South Sudan government on Saturday
proposed convening a conference with traditional leadership across the
country to look for mechanisms to address the new country's various
tribal conflicts.
The
clashes between the Murle against the Lou Nuer ethnic group this month
have killed over 600 people according to local officials. The Murle
attack is in response to a Luo Nuer raid in June, which local activists
say killed around 900 people. Cattle raids and revenge attacks between
the neighboring tribes have resulted in the death of 1,000 people since
January according to the UN.
In the same period the UN says tens of thousands of people have
been forced from their homes, and hundreds of women and children have
been abducted from both communities.
If organised, the conference will be the Juba government's first
major political event since Africa's 54th state was established in
July. It would draw participation of paramount chiefs from all the ten
states of South Sudan representing different cultures and tribes.
Similar conventions were held in Bentiu of Unity State in 2008 and in
the Upper Nile region but the resolutions were not implemented.
Murle chief Ismail Konyi told the press at South Sudan's
parliament in Juba that he would support any programs and initiatives to
foster peace and reconciliation.
Konyi said the interim constitution of South Sudan allows the
Council of States - of which Konyi was one of the appointees - to
legislate in order to promote a culture of peace, reconciliation and
communal harmony among the peoples of South Sudan.
The all-appointed Council of States is the second branch of South Sudan's parliament, the National Legislative Assembly.
"Under article 60 (F) of part one in chapter five of the
competence of the council of states in interim constitution of South
Sudan, the council of states has a mandate to legislate a law aiming at
promoting a culture of peace and reconciliation among the people",
observed Konyi.
"There is no way to maintain peace in this country if we do not
prioritise and support peace and conflict resolution programs through
involving participation of the traditional leadership," Konyi told
journalists on Saturday.
"I have been telling our traditional leaders and politicians that wars
and ethnic fights can never end differences, instead they tend to
cultivate animosity between brothers and sisters if appropriate measures
are not taken to address them", explained Konyi.
The former presidential advisor on peace and reconciliation
categorically stated that revenge does not resolve long standing
differences and only makes things worse. He said that in his home state
of Jonglei, the Dinka, Nuer and his own ethnic group - the Murle - have
been engaged in attacks and counter attacks for decades.
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DISCUSSION
Question(s) related to this article:
Can traditional leaders help countries to overcome conflicts?
Thematic forum(s) in which this article is being discussed:
ENEMY IMAGES - IDENTIFICATION DE L'ENNEMIE
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This discussion question applies to the following articles:
In Côte d'Ivoire Traditional Chiefs Resolve to Promote National Reconciliation
South Sudan Proposes Traditional Leadership Conference to End Conflicts
Les chefs traditionnels prennent la résolution de promouvoir la réconciliation nationale en Côte d'Ivoire
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This report was posted on September 3, 2011.
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