The church-led peace mediation between Twic and Ngok Dinka over the disputed Aneet land is calling on communities to maintain peace while awaiting a government resolution.
The mediation is led by Bishop Moses Deng Bol, former
Archbishop of Northern Bahr El Ghazal and senior church mediator in South
Sudan.
The three-day consultative meeting, held from Jan. 5–7 at
the Anyacnyac Youth Center in Turalei, brought together traditional chiefs,
government officials, civil society representatives, women, and youth from Twic
to encourage their participation in joint talks with the Ngok Dinka over the
Aneet area.
Bishop Bol said the church’s role is to promote peace, not
decide land ownership, which will be resolved by a committee appointed by the
President.
“The issue of land ownership is not the mandate of the
church. Our role is to urge people to live in peace and avoid fighting each
other. The question of land will be resolved by the committee formed by the
President. We appeal to you, our people, to remain peaceful so that no lives
are lost,” Bol said.
Some local leaders, however, expressed skepticism, with Kuol
Deng Malual, head of the Twic Civil Society Organization, emphasizing that for
peace to prevail, a resolution to the land dispute should be reached quickly.
“We resolve that chiefs from both sides must clarify exactly
who the land belongs to. If it belongs to Twic, let it be for Twic; if it
belongs to Ngok, let it be for Ngok. Why has this not been resolved, and yet
other talks are being proposed while the solution remains unsettled?” Malual
said.
The initiative seeks to restore harmony and allow both
communities to move freely with their goods and resources. The Aneet land
dispute dates back to February 2022.
The South Sudan Church Mission Society is leading the peace
talks, mediating dialogues across the Bahr El Ghazal region, promoting dialogue
and nonviolence while government and traditional authorities work toward a
final settlement.