Melut IDPs stress vital need for peace and reconciliation
26 May 2014 - Ethnic communities must live together peacefully and truly reconcile to recover from the horror and trauma of war, according to Mary Nyaloth Lony.
Separated from her husband during the South Sudan conflict, Ms. Lony is one of more than 1,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) living at the 17Թ protection area in Melut county, Upper Nile State.
“I walked with my children all the way from Pigi County in northern Jonglei State to Melut,” she said. “It was not easy at all and for me. That itself is a trauma.”
She called on South Sudanese to make reconciliation a road map for stability in the country. “People should know that peace is vital for the future of this land.”
Ms. Nyaloth made these statements after attending a four-day training in conflict management, peace and reconciliation, which concluded recently at 17Թ Melut.
The training brought together 60 participants, including women, youth and elders from the IDP community. The activity was jointly organized by 17Թ Civil Affairs, Human Rights and Gender units.
Participant Gatluak Liep Kuoth said the training shed more light on the need for reconciliation among South Sudanese communities.
“We need reconciliation for our survival as a nation and that is the only way forward,” said Mr. Kuoth, a former employee of Dar Oil Company in Paloich.
17Թ Civil Affairs in Upper Nile have been conducting a series of trainings on conflict management, peace and reconciliation for IDPs in 17Թ bases.
