- Target:
- Warrap State government, GOSS president and the SSLA
- Region:
- Australia
- Website:
- www.gurtong.org
We, the members of Gogrial community here in Melbourne convened a crisis meeting on the 5th of July 2008 to deplore the senseless outbreak of violence in our homeland. We strongly urge Warrap state government to stop this clan violence and restore security so as to facilitate economic development.
Interclan and intertribal strife has existed amongst our communities for generations. Such conflicts emanate from our pastoralist heritage.
Whilst we revere our cultural heritage, we believe the forces of modernization should weed out backward and uncivilized aspects of our interactions.
We have helplessly observed our time honored peaceful coexistence fades away while the government does nothing.
The ongoing Aguok-Apuk strife has continued to create havoc for helpless villagers since late 2004. While we might not speculate on the exact cause of this conflict, we will point out the devastating economic consequences brought about by this ridiculous fighting among ourselves.
According to UN reports, clan violence has led to food insecurity in Warrap and Northern Bar el ghazel since June- September 2006 planting season up to currently.
Recent upsurge in attack and reprisal attack between Aguok and Apuk clans has exacerbated the already dire economic and security situations. Our people have been pushed to the edge of destitution while the government is not doing enough to rescue the situation
We would also like to point out the general upsurge of intertribal conflicts in other areas within Warrap such as the Akok and Luanykoch clans in one hand and the Luach and Agar clans on the other hand.
While we acknowledge that Warrap state governor, honorable Tor Deng is new in the job, we would like his government to take the issue of insecurity in the state as the top priority.
The ongoing Aguok-Apuk feud must be addressed justly so as to restore the longstanding brotherly relation between these two clans.
The state must investigate the root causes of this conflict and to deliver justice where appropriate. Justice institutions must be strengthened and resourced to deal with such legal challenges.
If any influential individuals are to be connected to the start or continuation of this conflict, they must be severely punished for this heinous crime.
We learned that traditional leaders’ conference has been organized for September this year. we welcome this step and we would like political aspect of this conflict,vis-avis access to grazing land(Toj), Chief powers and traditional mechanisms of dispute settlement as well as maintenance of peace and harmony among greater Gogrial counties in particular and the Warrap state in general, be comprehensively addressed during this forum.
As Warrap state is one of the most populous state, we would like GOSS to increase the state security grants so as to train sufficient numbers of police force to deal with this acute breakdown of law and order.
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The Gogrial Community for Peace and Development petition to Warrap State government, GOSS president and the SSLA was written by Deng Abiem and is in the category Law & Order at GoPetition.