The Apuk-Giir community of Gogrial East County in Warrap State and the Marial-Wau community of Western Bahr El Ghazal State have committed to peace, ending their long-running dispute over the Manyang-Tharkueng border area. This commitment was made at the conclusion of a week-long peace dialogue held in Luony-Aker Payam of Gogrial East County. The dialogue brought together community chiefs, religious leaders, state officials, and senior government figures to address persistent insecurity along territorial borders.
The peace dialogue was organized by the two governors of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal in collaboration with church leaders, under the leadership of Bishop Moses Deng Bol, Archbishop of the Northern Bahr el Ghazal Internal Province. The conference aimed to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure that those responsible for violence are held accountable. The Manyang-Tharkueng dispute has remained a source of tension between the two communities, with both sides laying competing claims to the area.
Speaking during the conclusion of the dialogue, Warrap Governor Amb. Bol Wek Agoth emphasized the importance of the joint peace initiative, which carries hope for all victims of the conflict. He stated that it is in their interest to ensure that culprits who murdered innocent civilians are apprehended and that looted properties are returned to their owners. Governor Wek warned civilians against attacking government installations, following reports of an attack on SSPDF positions in the Manyang area.
Governor Wek announced that the two state governments would work with the national government to examine historical and colonial records to help establish the border that had traditionally been used for local administration. This move aims to provide a foundation for lasting peace between the two communities. Western Bahr El Ghazal Governor Sharif Daniel Sharif urged the communities to demonstrate the sincerity of their peace commitment through their actions.
Dr. Majak D’Agoot, former deputy defense minister who attended the conference, called on the communities to abandon cycles of violence and embrace peaceful coexistence. He emphasized that the people of Bahr El Ghazal have a crucial role in the liberation of South Sudan and should work together to overcome divisions. The peace dialogue ended with hopes that the commitments reached by the communities, chiefs, and state authorities would help prevent further violence.
The two communities are now expected to abide by the resolutions emerging from the dialogue as state and national authorities continue efforts to establish a lasting solution to the border dispute. The commitment to peace was made in the presence of senior government figures, indicating a strong support for the peace process.
Key stakeholders, including Warrap Governor Amb. Bol Wek Agoth and Western Bahr El Ghazal Governor Sharif Daniel Sharif, reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring that the peace agreement is implemented. The peace dialogue is seen as a significant step towards resolving the longstanding Manyang-Tharkueng dispute.
Key points
- The Apuk-Giir and Marial-Wau communities have committed to peace, ending their dispute over the Manyang-Tharkueng border area.
- The peace dialogue was organized by the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal in collaboration with church leaders.
- The two state governments will work with the national government to examine historical and colonial records to establish the border.
