Leaders of the Ateker communities in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Uganda and Kenya are holding a consultative forum in Kapoeta South County in Eastern Equatoria State to discuss peace and security in the region.

Ateker is a grouping of communities with the same origin and the same language across the borders of the four countries.

It includes the Jie and Toposa in South Sudan, Turkana in Kenya, Karamojong in Uganda and the Nyangtom in Ethiopia.

The Governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong, says the conference is to discuss co-existence and sharing of resources among the communities.

“We are here only to discuss how our people, Ateker communities, can coexist peacefully and share their resources across the border,” Mr Lobong said.

There have been cattle raiding and clashes over grazing land and water points among the communities.

“Our discussion concentrates on how we can stop those local issues facing them such as trading, road robberies.”

The governor of Turkana County, Josepat Nanok ,said cattle rustling is a major security challenge.

He calls for a commitment from the communities and the leaders in the Ateker region to promote peace, unity and development.

Mr Nanok said the areas inhabited by the Ateker communities have the worst human indicators in the region.

The Ateker Foundation was officially launched on Friday.