Warrap, WBGs border communities report relative calm after peace dialogues

Warrap’s Apuk community in Juba said relative calm has returned between the Apuk Giir and Marial Wau communities following a recent series of grassroots peace dialogues in Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal states.

The community leaders returned to Juba from Wau at the weekend.

Apuk Community Chairman in Juba, General Gregory Vasili, said the engagements brought together chiefs, youth, women, elders and local administrators, with participants calling for an end to violence and respect for a peace agreement reached by community leaders.

“We need peace. We don’t want any fight. We have no problem between us and our brothers in Marial Wau,” Gregory Vasili said.

He says the communities have reported no new violence since the latest round of engagements, while urging the two state governments to address outstanding disputes.

“Both governments will sit down and then settle all these problems without hesitations,” Vasili added.

Meanwhile, Deputy Chairman of the Apuk Community in Juba, Mou Ambrose Thiik, attributes insecurity in Manyang and surrounding areas to the withdrawal of civil administration, which he says has created a security vacuum.

“This vacuum has become now crime and criminal. We are saying to the two states, please bring back civil authorities and civil administration to the place,” Ambrose said

He also accused soldiers stationed in the area of intimidating civilians and looting abandoned properties, allegations that have not been independently verified.

According to the community leaders, the governors of Warrap and Western Bahr el Ghazal have agreed to establish a committee to address the tensions.

The Apuk community said it is also working with Marial Wau leaders to develop a joint position paper for submission to the state and national governments.