BY CHONDOK STEPHEN
Leer and Mayiandit communities in southern Unity State have agreed to use dialogue as the only means to settle disputes and end retaliation, looting and cattle raiding.
Leer County commissioner Stephen Taker Riak Dong vowed to end endemic communal violence and cattle raiding between three counties of the southern part of the Unity State mainly Leer, Mayiandit and Koch county.
“You are all aware of cattle raiding within these two months, our first priority to settle community disputes is to handover the raided cattle to their respected owners, we have handed over the raided cattle to their owners, and this is a symbol of peace to abolish cattle raiding,” Riak told Juba Echo in a telephone interview.
He said his leadership handed over 10 cows to Mayiandit Rupkuach youths who have come to Leer and the same Leer youths will also go to Mayiandit to identify their cattle and will be handed over to them respectively,” Riak said.
“What created the mess in the neighbouring counties was that some arms youths were looking after cattle and if we decided to hand over the raided cattle who will continue with cattle raiding again, I hope there will be no one to continue with cattle raiding,” Riak added.
He said his counterparts’ commissioners have agreed especially the Mayiandit commissioner, and Koch commissioner to abolish cattle raiding road robbery and looting.
Mayiandit County commissioner Dr Gatluak Nyang said that they have agreed to a peaceful resolution by imposing strong measures against cattle raiders and those who are found robbing innocent civilians along the roadsides.
“It’s better to be in peace than in conflict if we really hand over the raided cattle, there will be no looting and this measure will end the suffering of innocent children and women, we also agreed on the free movement of humanitarian food aid for war-affected vulnerable women,” he said.
“I have agreed to dialogue to end the long-suffering of children, women, and elderly people,” Nyang told Juba Echo.
