[Juba, South Sudan, TCT] The Citizens and the army in Mundri, Western Equatoria State, signed an agreement pledging to end the cycle of violence in the state. A peace process that was initiated by church successfully finalizes and the agreement was signed during a church service in Mundri West County on Sunday.
The mistrust between the communities and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) over the past weeks led to several clashes between youth and soldiers in Greater Mundri. Thousands of people have fled their homes seeking safety in the bush.
The leader of a faith-based group that brokered the agreement, Bishop Paul Yogusuk, the Episcopal Church Bishop of Lomega diocese returned from Western Equatoria State, told media that the church will continue to engage with the communities and the SPLA to ensure that the peace agreement is respected.
“There is need for us to go and continue to dialogue with them. You know they have taken up arms because of grievances that are still there. That is why we have resolved in our agreement that they should now report to the commissioners–that is of course our government institutions–so that they can be able to continue dialogue with the local authorities and see the way forward for them. We want to ask our youth outside to be patient. We have heard them; we are coming to listen to them and I believe nothing is impossible,” said Bishop
On his part, the Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria, Mr. Bullen Abiatara, explained the agreement and how it will really bring stability in the state.
“The community of Greater Mundri and the army will respect themselves. The youth and the army will refrain from any hostilities, and the community members will feel free to come back and continue with their socio-economic development, sometimes at night most of the people comes into their homes and spent night in the houses, especially small children with their parents,” he said.
“The SPLA soldiers who caused atrocities in Mundri will be disciplined by their command. And the local administration in Greater Mundri will keenly discuss with the leadership of the youth in resolving the conflict”, Said Abiatara.
The Deputy Governor said the affected communities would be compensated for property lost,
“one of the resolutions said that an assessment will be conducted by local authorities in order to know all the destruction done for compensations”, he added.
The clashes and violence in Mundri between communities and the SPLA forces has caused significant displacement of people, and many properties have been destroyed.
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