Missionaries working in Kenya want to initiate barter trade across the border to curb cattle raids between the Toposa community of South Sudan and the Turkana of Kenya.
Albert Salvance is the team leader of a delegation from the Missionary Community of St Paul that came from the diocese of Lodwa in Kenya to visit Torit.The Spanish priest told Radio Emmanuel that his community wants to link the Toposa with the Turkana across Nyangatom and Lotimor plains to foster exchange of goods and information.
He said conflicts sometimes arise when people do not interact and communicate among themselves.
Fr Salvance said trading can replace raiding between the Toposa and Turkana.
He recalled that in the past the two communities maintained good neighbouring relations and children from Eastern Equatoria studied in Kenyan schools.
He said the trend changed overtime due to various factors including initiation rights, politics, financial difficulties and natural disasters, giving rise to violence and cattle raiding.
Fr Salvance said his team shared the plans with Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek of Torit, Eastern Equatoria Governor Louis Lobong Lojore and the state minister of Wildlife George Echom.
He added that the Eastern Equatoria state leadership is in communication with the Kenyan authorities though Turkana North MP John Munges, who is also a minister.