Eastern Equatoria Government is supporting a peace initiative by the Catholic Diocese of Torit to reconcile Ma’di and Acholi communities in Magwi County.
Bishop Johnson Akio Mutek of Torit announced that he was sending a team of priests to resolve the conflict over the ownership of Ame Junction between Ma’di and Acholi communities that claimed already four lives.Speaker Ambrose Emmanuel Ocholimoi told the state owned radio The Voice of Eastern Equatoria State that the government appreciates the peace initiative launched by the Catholic Church.
He said the churches played a role in the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement between Sudan and South Sudan.
Mr. Ocholimoi added that the churches have the responsibility to bring the different communities of the state together as one people of one nation.
The speaker said boundary disputes are very common in South Sudan but most communities do not choose the way of violence to solve them.
He urged the Ma’di and Acholi communities to stop fighting and wait until the government demarcates the new administrative borders.
Mr. Ocholimoi emphasized that tribal names should be used only for identification of one’s origin but not to stop people from living where they wish in any part of the country.
The speaker refuted claims of mass killings in Magwi County.
He said four people have died in the conflict. Other alleged victims were not killed but went on hiding.