JUBA — Residents of Bur Payam in Torit County, Eastern Equatoria State of South Sudan, on Monday engaged in a day-long community dialogue that emphasized the importance of communication, social cohesion, and problem-solving.
Participants in the peace negotiations observed that Bur Payam has recently seen incidents of inter-communal violence, cattle raids, arson, road ambushes, and a rise in gender-based issues, leading to loss of life and property.
Peter Ogugu Andriko, the sub-chief of Mutaraf, confirmed to Sudans Post on Monday that the community dialogue in Bur Payam of Torit County has enabled the two warring communities of Mutaraf and Osito to reach a consensus.
“The problem here is among young people; they fought among themselves, and they are also involved in cattle theft. The conflict has also led to the burning of houses. We have now resolved the matter; many of them have accepted the peace,” said Andriko.
He revealed that the conflict has, since August 2025, been affecting many people in the villages. People lost their valuable properties, and some individuals were injured during the conflict. “Now peace has come,” he said.
Felix Ewot, the Peace Building Officer for the Support Peace Initiative Development Organization (SPIDO) in Eastern Equatoria State, stated that the dialogue is intended to address conflict and gender-related issues in Eastern Equatoria State.
He said that the communities have realised that issues of cattle theft and rape often result in fighting. The Bur Payam peace committee reported the problem, and they had to rush and work in collaboration with the peace committee to resolve the issue through dialogue.
“The dialogue is a process; we are engaging communities in dialogue to resolve issues that often lead to conflict. We have worked together to bring peace. The two communities have drafted resolutions, and the situation will change,” Ewot said.
The one-day community dialogue was organised by the Support Peace Initiative and Development Organization (SPIDO), with support from the Korean International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) through the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
