(L-R) Mr. Nyadak Paul Jonglei Minister of Public Service, Chief Ismail Konyi (centre) and Dr. Agot Alier during a peace initiative tour in Bor [©Gurtong]
By Jacob Achiek Jok
BOR, 2nd February 2012 [Gurtong] - After the Council of the States meeting in Bor, the former Jonglei Governor Mr. Ismail Konyi said that the mission was important to the people of Jonglei State. However, his sentiments pointed fingers on the State government's ability to protect the citizens.
He said that, “our coming here was very important to the people of Jonglei because you have been in a difficult situation for the last two years.”
The fighting which erupted in Pibor last year have been a long and continued conflict between the Luo-Nuer and Murle communities rapidly increased since December 2011 when 8,000 armed men from the Lou-Nuer attacked the Murle’s home in Pibor County.
“The issue of cattle raiding and children abduction was not common before the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) period, so I do not know why our people kill themselves yet they are independent,” Konyi wondered.
“Is it because of cattle? Yes we are now working with Council of States to assess the challenges facing Jonglei State in terms of insecurity and I hope the inter-tribal conflicts will cease forever,” Konyi said.
He added that, “the disarmament process will begin soon and all illegally processed guns will be confiscated from the civilians and this will create peace among our communities.”
“I think that dividing the State was a good agenda because Jonglei State is big with a high population. Services do not reach the entire community and everyone should participate in building the nation. Communities will not blame the government if services such as education, health facilities, road networks and other humanitarian needs get to the people in rural areas,” Konyi added.