A non-governmental organization has recently facilitated meetings between communities of Fashoda, Melut and Maban and Sudanese pastoralist leaders. 

Riak Bol, who works for British-based organization Concordis in South Sudan’s Upper Nile State, said the meetings focused on peaceful coexistence between host communities and Sudanese pastoralists who migrate seasonally into Upper Nile State for grazing.

Bol pointed out that organization is working to lay a solid ground for peace and reconciliation between communities sharing the Sudan-South Sudan borders.

He said they recently received complaints from the local communities in Upper Nile regarding inconvenience caused by the Sudanese pastoralists on farms. He said the meeting resolved that the pastoralists should come to the area only after receiving permission from the local communities.

Bol further noted that cooperation between the two sides will be in accordance with the terms of a 2012 agreement signed among communities living in the border areas between northern Upper Nile and Sudan.

File photo: Livestock in southern Blue Nile (Radio Tamazuj)