By Abraham Agoth
AWEIL, 29th April 2012 [Gurtong]
As a one family cemented by intermarriages and common border between Rezeigat and Dinka Malual, the two communities have had a long history of mutual self respect, identity of esteem, compassion that augment and grip the two communities with everlasting mutual interest in the shared natural resources that dictates good neighborhood.
Rezeigat are mainly Arab-nomadic pastoralists from Southern Darfur and Kordofan who used to bring their cattle to graze around River Kiir-kou (which they used to call Bahr el Arab). Unlike before, they have to seek for permission in order to bring their cattle in search of pastures around Kiir-kou for a period of three months.
Following the independence of South Sudan, Rezeigat maintained their respect to good border relations and peaceful coexistence with the Dinka Malual unlike in the past. They now have to seek for official permission through a documented conference.
While speaking to Gurtong Media the chairman of NBGS Border Peace Accord Committee (BPAC) Mr. Adup Achieer said that, “NBGS is preparing for the requested conference and will officially reply in a letter with a confirmed date of the conference from the state authority soonest.”
He also added that the conference is expected to discuss migration issues, permission for Rezeigat to use pastures, passage route for citizens from both sides among other issues.
*Gurtong would like to appologise to the Dinka Malual community for not specifying the dates when the conference was requested. The request was made on January 7th 2012 as indicated in the introduction part. This is due to the current political crisis between the two nations that has since affected diplomatic relations.