County Authorities Seek Peaceful Solutions To Cattle Raiding

9 February 2011 – (Rumbek) – Authorities in Lakes and Warrap states say they have established an amicable way of resolving the conflict between communities in the two states.

The authorities resolved to carry out a comprehensive disarmament of an armed youth group known as the Gelweng Youth to reduce armed attacks in the two regions. They also said that they intend to recover all raided cattle in the two states and return the cattle to the rightful owners.

Speaking to SRS on Monday, Rumbek Center Commissioner, Matur Majok Magol said that a special court will be established at the border to reduce cross border cattle raid incidents.

[Matur Majok Magol]: “We have come out with seven resolutions in that meeting. The resolutions include; a comprehensive disarmament program, recovering stolen cattle, and compensating those who have been killed so that we prevent people from fighting again and bring a lasting peace. In our planning we also targeted Tonj South, Tonj East and Rumbek North and Cueibet. Disputes are cattle theft, cattle raiders from Gok people took a lot of cattle from Rek and Rek people also took a lot of cattle from Gok.”

The authorities held a two–day conference in Wunlit in Lakes state to discuss ways of reducing the conflict between the neighboring communities. The meeting brought together community leaders and representatives from Tonj South, Tonj East, Cueibet, Rumbek North and Rumbek Center of Lakes and Warrap states.