Jonglei, Buma Communities to Sign Peace Deal

In a move expected to end months of hostilities, communities in Jonglei and Buma states will sign a peace pact in a period of one week.

The pact is a brainchild of a committee headed by First Vice President Taban Deng which engaged both communities last week.

Other members include Acuil Malith Bangol;  Jonglei governor Philip Aguer, Buma governor Ismail Konyi, information minister Michael Makuei, and  Deputy labour Minister David Yau Yau

Inter-community conflicts over killing, abduction and cattle raiding accusations and counter-accusations have characterised the people in the two states in recent times.

The Taban Deng committee returned to Juba at the weekend and issued a communication according to which a dialogue will be held in the next 30 days between the conflicting parties.

Other issues agreed on in the engagement is the creation of a buffer zone between the two communities; and collection and handing over of all the abducted women and children and raided cattle within the next 30 days.

“The meeting decided that there would be a formation of a cessation of hostilities committee in the two places. Furthermore agreed that the signing of the document. This document will be signed here in Juba in seven days,” said part of the communiqué read by Malith Bangol.