What seems elusive, UNMISS made it possible at Yei Peace Conference!

What seems elusive, UNMISS made it possible at Yei Peace Conference!

Yei, PR, MP 13 Aug. 2019

A two days’ peace and reconciliation forum have just been concluded in Yei River State with some senses of optimism among the participants in the community.

For UNMISS to make peace and reconciliation possible in Yei River State, it sought to bring members of the opposing armed groups, including civilians together in a forum to discuss peace in the area and way forward.

Until recently, Yei River State showed widespread of brutal conflict in which ordinary civilians were the prime target. Women were raped, children were taken away, and belongings were either robbed or destroyed.

“Everybody is affected by this conflict, families were separated. Crimes and inter-ethnic became the order of the day. Wanton destruction of lives and property is rampant, taking us several decades back,” said Moris Kenyi, Opposition County Commissioner of Lainya.

“I am even traumatized as I have not seen my beautiful wife and good children for over four years now. Time has come for us to heal our wounds left behind by years of war so that we can reconnect with our dear families.”

One elder named Benjamin Danya Lomundu from Kupera county also told the participants that he has lost everything including a large head of caws, cheeps and chickens.

He said he will work hard again to gain back what he has lost and declared saying, he has forgiven the two sides.

The two day’s conference which was organized by UNMISS Civil Affairs Division managed to attract over 1000 participants.

MP