Local political leaders, traditional chiefs, elders, youth, and women’s representatives gathered beneath the airstrip trees at the Anyuak Kingdom headquarters in Otallo to participate in a peace and reconciliation dialogue facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
The initiative focused on repairing deep-seated internal fractures within the Anyuak community while establishing foundational steps toward resolving historical intercommunal conflicts with the neighboring Murle people, which have long been fueled by cattle raiding, child abductions, armed road ambushes, and resource competition.
During the consultations, community leaders emphasized that addressing acute security threats is essential for restoring daily life, economic stability, and basic social infrastructure in the Greater Pibor Administrative Area. Sub-chief Oduong Chamchale and elder Oman Obel Cham urged government authorities and international partners to bolster civilian protection measures, noting that lasting stability is required to expand local health facilities, trade routes, and schools. Highlighting the disproportionate impact of conflict on families, women’s representative Abang Akway reported that ongoing road insecurity frequently forces parents to send their children to distant towns or across the border into Ethiopia to access secondary education safely.
UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer Okelo Christopher reaffirmed the peacekeeping mission’s commitment to supporting locally led peacebuilding frameworks and inclusive community mediation across Greater Pibor. Expressing gratitude for the mission’s active monitoring and physical presence in Otallo, Acting King Gilo Omot noted that sustained UN engagement provides vital security reassurance to vulnerable rural populations as local leaders work to establish non-violent mechanisms for dispute resolution.
ABJ/APA