Peace Canal, an organization supporting peacebuilding and reconciliation in the Greater Agaar community since 2020, has condemned the recent deadly clashes between two communities in Rumbek town that reportedly killed 71 people, including four soldiers, on October 9.
In a statement, Mary Arun Gol, Peace Canal’s Area Coordinator and Acting Peacebuilding Manager for Lakes and Warrap states, described the violence as a painful tragedy for the entire Dinka Agaar community, saying the loss of lives had left families grieving and deepened divisions among people who share the same land, history and cultural identity.
“I strongly condemn this senseless violence and call upon both communities to put down their weapons and embrace peace,” Gol said.
She said no disagreement or misunderstanding was worth the loss of human life, warning that continued fighting would only deepen wounds, divide families and leave a painful legacy for future generations.
Gol urged community members to reject revenge and instead pursue dialogue, forgiveness and peaceful coexistence.
“Our land will remain, but the lives taken by violence cannot be brought back,” she said, calling on elders, community leaders, youth, intellectuals and other influential figures to take responsibility for restoring peace.
She also cautioned against retaliatory attacks, saying the deaths should serve as a reason to stop the violence rather than trigger further bloodshed.
“One death should be a call to stop the violence, not a justification for another,” she said.
Despite the tragedy, Gol expressed hope that peace could be restored if the communities chose unity over division, forgiveness over revenge and dialogue over violence.
Peace Canal has supported peacebuilding initiatives in the Greater Agaar community since 2020 through peace conferences, reconciliation activities and efforts to bring Gelweng youth together to promote unity and peaceful coexistence.
Gol called on the two communities to protect one another and work towards lasting reconciliation, emphasizing that their shared future depended on ending violence and rebuilding trust.
“Let peace prevail in Rumbek Town. Let peace prevail in Agaar Land. Let peace prevail throughout the Dinka Agaar community,” she said.
She concluded by urging community members to prevent further loss of life and build a peaceful future for their children.
“Our land is still ours, but the brothers we lose can never be replaced. Let us choose peace before more lives are lost. We are one people, and our future must be built together, not buried together,” Gol said.
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