Here is the complete text of the resolutions:

RESOLUTIONS OF TRI-STATE PEACE AND RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE

WAU STATE

3RD - 6TH JULY 2019

Preamble:

The three states of Wau, Tonj and Gogrial in collaboration with UNMISS Field Offices of Wau, Kuajok and Peace Building Actors in the Region (CARDO, CEPO, TOCH, IOM, Malteser International, WOTAP, UCDC and HARD) organized a four days Tri-State Peace and Reconciliation Conference on Migration under the Theme:

"Yes to Peace and Reconciliation, No to Intercommunal Violence"

We the delegates and participants from the three states of Wau, Tonj and Gogrial comprising of Governors, Speakers, State Advisors, Cabinet Ministers, State MPs, County Commissioners, Chiefs, Women, Youth, Representative of Cattle Keepers/farmers, SPLA/IO and partners met in Wau for the last four days from 3rd – 6th July 2019 to identify the root causes of the current conflict between the cattle keepers in both Tonj and Gogrial States and the farming community in Wau State, and find possible solutions to the underlying causes;

build confidence among communities;

listened to the concern raised by:

chiefs, youth, women, representative of the cattle keepers and farmers;

deliberated on the issues raised in each presentation carefully;

and identified the following as root causes of the conflict among the cattle keepers and the farmers:

1. Presence of guns in the hands of the civilians;

2. Border disputes among communities in Wau, Gogrial and Tonj states;

3. Involvement of some government officials and the military officers (SSPDF, NSS and other organized forces) in the proxy war along the communities in the states of Gogrial, Wau and Tonj.

4. Destruction of crops and properties by the cattle herders, looting of properties and burning down of houses by both cattle keepers and farmers.

5. Sexual and gender based violence against women and girls

6. Use of abusive language against the farmers and cattle keepers.

7. Accusing of farmers as SPLA/IO sympathizers;

8. Arbitrary arrest of civilians;

9. The involvement of the SPLA/IO in fighting the proxy war alongside the farming community.

10. Scarcity of water in Gogrial and Tonj and delay of rains.

11. Raiding of cattle, killing and beating of cattle keepers.

12. Politicization of the migration by Gogrial, Tonj and Wau States some politicians and some national politicians.

13. Breakdown of the social structure leaving chiefs without authority to control youth with guns.

14. Lack of proactive response to tensions by local and state authorities.

15. Presence of SPLA/IO in places which were not controlled by them before signing of the R-ARCSS.

We the delegates and participants in the four days deliberated and discussed all the issues raised in the plenary, frankly and freely committed ourselves to restore peace among our communities of cattle keepers and farmers;

build confidence and drew up this plan of action:

THE RESOLUTIONS:

We the delegates and the participants in the Tri-State Peace Conference held in Wau call for:

Immediate Implementable Actions:

Article 1: Immediately stop hostilities and revenge attack, cattle raiding and any form of violence among communities of cattle keepers and farmers;

Article 2: A joint fact-finding committee must be formed to establish the accurate facts and compile the damages caused to lives and properties;

Article 3: Immediately allow for the free movement of the civilians across the borders of the three states.

Article 4: Immediate support to the voluntary return and provision of humanitarian Assistance (Shelter/NFIs, Seeds, Tools among others) to the displaced population (IDPs)

Article 5: Comprehensive disarmament shall be carried out by the joint three states security committees.

Article 6: Speedy cantonment and training of the SPLA/IO as provided in the R-ARCSS to prevent them joining the intercommunal clashes.

Article 7: There should be administration accountability for any government officials involved in the community conflict.

Article 8: Immediate dissemination of the resolutions of this tristate peace conference

Medium/Long term Solution:

Article 9: Compensation of lives, livestock and properties lost in accordance with tradition should not replace the criminal prosecution. Any alleged perpetrator must be prosecuted accordingly.

Article 10: All the crimes committed including rape, conflict related sexual violence and abuses against women and girls, murder and arson must be tried by a formal court.

Article 11: Formation of the mobile/special court to try all the cases arising from the ongoing crisis.

Article 12: Marial Bai Agreement must be revised to clear some pitfalls.

Article 13: A joint committee for border verification should be established to address border related issues among the three states by the national government; or give the state authorities the powers to handle the matter.

Article 14: A joint monitoring committee comprising of the three states ministers of local government and other partners should be formed as a backing up of ICCM to monitor any conflict between communities of cattle keepers and the farmers. This committee should meet regularly to address any issues as they come up.

Article 15: Respect of the local authorities, laws and customs.

Article 16: An integrated police operation should be established from the three states to deal with maintaining security related to cattle migration violations;

Article 17: Digging of the water points in the areas of the cattle keepers;

Article 18: Ensure that all the cattle camps are registered and updated continually during the migration period.

Article 19: SSPDF and SPLA/IO to control individuals from joining any proxy war and involvement in the intercommunal violence but stick to their mandate.

Article 20: Both the cattle keepers and farmers should stick to the provisions of Marial Bai Agreement as plans are underway for the review.

Article 21: Reform the local government administration to put in place effective local courts with ability to response to security and social issues facing communities.

Article 22: End the culture of appointing inexperienced military officers into local government administration who do not have skills and experience in public administration and governance.

Article 23: More grassroots Reconciliation and dialogues meetings should be conducted in the affected areas to promote healing and peaceful co-existence.

SIGNATORIES

Gogrial State

1. Kuol Amet Kuol – Paramount Chief

2. Chol Yuot Chol - Majook-wut Representative

3. Ayak Yel Akech - Women Representative

Wau State

4. Dhe lAgiu Maiuil – Paramount Chief

5. Karmilia Augustino Kafir - Women representative

6. Wol Okel Mawien – Farmers Representative

Tonj State

7. Ariath Mayar Mareng – Paramount Chief

8. Mabior Thuom Tong -Majook-wut Representative

9. Regina Akiep.

Dhel -Women Representative

WITNESSES:

1. Brig.

Gen. Angelo Taban-Biajo, Governor-Wau State

2. Brig.

Gen. Victor Atem Atem, Governor-Gogrial State

3. Maj.

Gen. Matthew Mathiang Magordit, Governor-Tonj State

4. Brig.

Gen. Atem Madut Yak, Governor-Twic State

5. Sam Korutaro Muhumure, UNMISS Head of Field Office-Wau

6. Anastasie Nyirigira, UNMISS Head of Field Office-Kuajok/Gogrial

7. Orasio Opiyo Buolo, NNGOs/CSOs Representative

8. Stephen Kur Bona, INGOs Representative