South Sudan traditional leaders after a meeting in Juba from July 14th to 15th ask for their representation in the peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia that has not yielded an agreement for about 19 months since conflict outbreak in mid-December, 2013.
The leaders from ten states say the warring parties belong to them all and that IGAD peace mediators should refer some traditional issues to traditionalist as customary law experts.
South Sudan Local Government Board member Nikodemo Arou Man reads out the 19 recommendations to the press; calling for inclusion of customary mechanisms in conflict resolution and empowerment of traditional leaders.
He voices out traditionalists complain that their powers in deterring conflicts were undermined by South Sudan government after achieving independence.
Mr Arou recalls that they used to settle murder cases with customary law of blood compensation with payment of cattle or money instead of death sentence or life imprisonment which do not promote healing and reconciliation.
The traditional leaders demand the legislature to empower and expand customary laws to deal with capital crimes such as genocide and murder.