Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN
PHASE I and II
GOGRIAL STATE GRASSROOTS PEACE INITIATIVE [GPI]
ATTENDED BY: State Government Officials, Parliamentarians intellectuals, elders, community leaders, chiefs, sons and daughters of Gogrial State
PURPOSE: To soul search and find a lasting solution to the conflict in Gogrial State.
Mediated and funded by the Evangelical Presbyterian church under the leadership of Bishop Elias Taban and their partner His Voice Global USA under the leadership of Dr. Vernon Burger ------Prepared by: Hon. Denis LaSuba Paul Yei River County Commissioner& Secretary of the EPC Peace Desk
Signed in Yei River State, South Sudan on August 4th2017
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 1 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names - AMEN
Background:
Driven by the Church divine mandate 2 Corinthians 5:18-20, the Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban Parangi and members of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC)-South Sudan left Yei for Juba in the early morning hour of July 7th, 2017 and spent the day with intellectuals, elders, community leaders, chiefs, sons and daughters of greater Gogrial at Home and Away to discuss and share the grievances and the continued conflict in Gogrial State.
Introduction: The Most Rev Bishop Elias Taban Parangi was alerted by Major James Alor Majok, the Director of National Security in Yei River State on the urgent need to find a lasting peaceful solution to the community of greater Gogrial. Upon reflection on the matter, Bishop Elias Taban deemed the conflict in Gogrial State necessary for action, adding that it warrant an immediate Major James Alor Majok in red tie and urgent attention to avoid further disaster. The Bishop cautioned the sons and daughters of
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 2 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN greater Gogrial not to allow the enemies of South Sudan to say “it is the Dinka tribe killing each other”; while on the other hand the enemies of South Sudan would use the insecurity in Gogrial to create chaos out of it. It is based on this note that Bishop dispatched two elders of the Jeng community in Yei to Juba to extend his invitation to prominent leaders of greater Gogrial community for a consultative meeting. The invitation was extended to Hon. Machok Majong and Lieutenant General Salva Matok Geng. The two leaders did not waste time and immediately responded to the call on July 1st 2017 and were flown to Yei for the consultative meeting. In attendance of the consultative meeting were: Most Rev Bishop Elias Taban Parangi Chairman Elder Simon Lasuba, Evangelical Presbyterian Secretary Church Lieutenant General Salva Matok Geng Member Hon. Machok Majong Member James Alor Majok, Director of National Security Member Chief Dut Konping – Jeng Community Member Elder Santos Geng Matiang – Jeng Community Member Elder James Matur Machok – Jeng Community Member
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The Gogrial community leaders who participated in the Consultative meeting were so thankful to Bishop Elias Taban for the timely intervention and resolved that: I. Bishop Elias Taban should call the sons and daughters of greater Gogrial to stop fighting each other immediately. II. Bishop Elias Taban to meet the intellectuals and leaders of greater Gogrial State to soul search and forge ways and means of ending the conflict. III. Bishop Elias Taban to invite the Governor of GogrialState for a consultative meeting on ending the conflict. IV. Bishop Elias Taban to meet the President of the Republic and share possibilities of ending the conflict.
On July 7th 2017, 50 participants, mainly intellectuals, elders and leaders of greater Gogrial communities congregated at Home and Away in Juba to listen to the message of Bishop Elias Taban Parangi in line with resolutions number I and II of the consultative meeting. The eight (8) hour meeting was officially opened by a word of prayer by Elder Simon Lasuba. This was followed by some narratives from Lieutenant Gen. Salva Matok regarding previous peace efforts that were exerted by himself, the President of the Republic and other actors that yielded fruit but the peace didn’t last. The Bishop took the stage and thanked Gen. Salva Matok and Hon Machok Majong for expediting the road map for a sustainable lasting peace in Gogrial State.
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The Bishop went onto say that the issue of greater Gogrial is a painful one at a personal level because many sons and daughters of Gogrial State sacrificed their lives during the liberation struggle and continue to sacrifice to serve the Country to date.
Participants of Gogrial Community at Home and Away in Jubab
The Bishop cautioned the sons and daughters of Gogrial State to watch out the enemies of South Sudan who want to use the conflict in Gogrial to create chaos in the Country. The Bishop and the church team further emphasized the need to leave the problems in Gogrial State to God because God alone can help us out of it and then underscored the grassroots approach to finding a viable solution to the problem facing the communities of Gogrial. Among other things the Bishop talked of service provision to the local communities if sustainable peace is to be achieved as well as
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 5 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN strategies that need to be employed to address challenges faced by retired army generals.
Leaders of Gogrial State at EPC – Yei listening to presentation
The Bishop cited an example of how the Church in partnership with Water is Basic – USA drilled boreholes to Awiel Communities so that there was enough water for home and animal consumption which was a solution to conflicts created due to storage of such a service. Finally, the Bishop declared the Church’s commitment to work with the communities of Gogrial State to bring a sustainable and lasting peace. The floor was opened to the sons and daughters of greater Gogrial where common ground to resolve the current crises, security issues, immediate need for relief assistance, and the need to address the conflict in Gogrial State was discussed. The sons and daughters of Gogrial State further expressed commitment to achieve lasting
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 6 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN peace in Gogrial State and agreed to the immediate need to end the conflict by adoption of the following resolutions: i. Sons and daughters of greater Gogrial want a sustainable and lasting peace in Gogrial State. ii. Sons and daughters of greater Gogrial: the intellectuals, elders and leaders came forward in confession to the almighty God to speak nothing but the truth and the Bishop prayed over them. iii. Bishop Elias Taban to find time and urgently meet with the Governor of Gogrial State to discuss possibilities of ending the conflict. iv. Chief Nhial Chan Nhial and others resolved that Bishop Elias Taban should take all sons and daughters of greater Gogrial intellectuals who are in Juba to Kwajok to solve the conflict of greater Gogrial there. v. Security arrangements need to be established in Gogrial State before Bishop and the community of greater Gogrial could go to Kwajok. vi. Army division is required at the border between the community of greater Gogrial and the Community of Bentiu before any disarmament could take place. The meeting was officially closed with Prayer and an execution of resolution number II by Bishop Elia Taban Parangi at 3:00 PM. The participants who attended the meeting were recorded as follows:
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S/No NAME TITLE COUNTY SIGNATURE 1. Gen Achuil Tito Madut Kuac North 0956828888 2. Gen Henry Kuany Aguar Awan Pajok 0920055880 3. Thiik Thiik Mayardit Apuk 0922226605 4. Bona Bak Nyang Apuk 0915716703 5. Gen Kuot Deng Apuk 0913121273 6. Chol Agoth Deng Awan Rian 0955213333 7. Dut Baak Wol Awan Rian 0959002560 8. Kuan Joseph Nyong Awan Pajok 0956111159 9. Hon Akoon Ding Athian MP TNLA Apuk 0914891810 10. Wol Maya Ariec Ambassador Kuac South 0954126685 11. Baak Nalentio Akol Wol Ambassador Awan Rian 0957107028 12. Hon Machek Majong Kuac North 0955609800 13. Hakir Hai Thiep Alek Centre 0912222666 14. Nyal Chan Nayal Akon South 0911111448 15. Achol Cyier Rechan Akon South 0954666931 16. Marko Deng Wal Kuac South 0955538664 17. Jackson Akot Majok Kuac South 0956616111 18. Akol Ayii Madut Kuac South 0955505854 19. Aken Akok Mawen Aguok South 0955743388 20. Atong Ayii Madut Kuac South 0956085095 21. Tong Majok Daall Auok Centre 0955405200 22. William Wol Mayuol Aguok Akon South 0958888924 23. Debg Debg Duor Apuk South 0955757575 24. Madut Achil Atre 25. Mavac Kuot Apuk East 0926433334 26. Bona Bok Malith Apuk 0922237811
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27. James Aluak Malong Awan 0928670009 28. Deng Akech Deng Aguok 0955166428 29. Peter Ngor Mou Aguok South 0956033748 30. Bol Deng Akeen Apeck east 0956237440 31. Bak Anyan Apuk 0955349071 32. Makuc Makuc Kuoe South 0955313941 33. Bona Bak Nyang MP 34. Gen Achuil Tito Maduk D/Co-Idr 35. Rachel Nyadk Paul Advisor 36. Kuot Deng Kuot MP 37. Chol Agoth Deng Member 38. Gen Agasio Akol Tong Advisor Awank Pajok 0954538834 39. James Alor Majok YRS D NSS Turalei/Twic 0955222233 40. Hon Machok Majong 41. Gev Salva Matok Geng 42. Elder Santos Geng Matiang 43. James Matur Machok 44. Elder Simon Lasuba EPC 45. Bishop Elias Taban EPC 46. Hon Denis L Paul EPC 0952644444 47. Pastor Cons 48. Chief Dut Konping 49. Ezibon Taban EPC 50. Garang Tong Bak
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Signed:
------Most Rev Bishop Elias Taban Parangi Hon. Denis Lasuba Paul Chief Mediator Secretary General Evangelical Presbyterian Church & Evangelical Presbyterian Church & His Voice Global -USA His Voice Global -USA Peace Desk -Yei, South Sudan Peace Desk -Yei, South Sudan
Hon. Denis Lasuba Paul and Most Rev. Bishop Elias
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Phase II of Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative The phase II grassroots initiative for Gogrial State kicked off in Yei
River State – South Sudan after getting a formalendorsement by the
President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit on
July 24th,2017 which paved a way for Phase II.
Phase II started on July 31st through August 4th, 2017 and was attended by Gogrial State Governor, State Officials, Community leaders, Intellectuals, Chiefs, sons and daughters of Gogrial State.
July 31st2017 was marked with warm reception of the Governor of
Gogrial State and his delegations by members of the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church, the Governor of Yei River State who was accompanied by his Security advisor and minister of Local
Government and Law Enforcement, Yei County Commissioner, Chiefs of Yei River County, welcoming speeches and Prayers. The day was colorful and concluded with interaction among the delegates, dinner and departure at 8:00 PM.
The Evangelical Presbyterian Church Message
August 1, 2017 was officially opened by the Most Rev. Bishop Elias
Taban with welcoming remarks, devotion and Prayers. Biblical
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 12 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN approach to reconcile the communities of Gogrial State as part of the
Grassroots Peace Initiative mediated and funded by the Evangelical
Presbyterian Church [EPC] and His Voice Global [HVG] was used.
Bless And Do Not Curse.
Romans 12:14 New Living Translation (NLT) 14 Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.
(Fallen) human nature retaliates. If someone wrongs us, we want revenge.
But children of God, who have the love of God in their hearts, should act differently (Romans 5:5)
1 PETER 3:9 NLT 9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with blessing.
That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it.
We have been delivered from the power of darkness and placed in the Kingdom of love, where Jesus is Lord (Colossians 1:13) Our king desires that all people be blessed (John 3:16, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter
3:9).
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God loves the whole world. We are His representatives to give them that message (2 Corinthians 5:18 – 21). We cannot win the world by cursing them. We are supposed to love them. JOHN 13:34 NLT 34 So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other, justas I have loved you, you should love each other. We are to love as Jesus loved us. Even when treated badly, He never cursed those who mistreated Him.
LUKE 23:34a NLT 34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” People do evil because they are trapped in spiritual darkness. Our only real enemy is the devil and his forces, not people. (Not Apuk and Aguok)
EPHESIANS 6:12 NLT 12 For we are not fighting against flesh – and – blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Just as Jesus was mistreated, we will not avoid being mistreated in this life.
JOHN 15:17 – 21 NLT 17 This is my command: love each other. 18 “if the world hates you, remember that it hated me first. 19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 14 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN world, so it hates you. 20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you. 21 They will do all this to you because of me, for they have rejected the One who sent me. 1 PETER 2:19 – 23 NLT 19 For God is pleased with you when you do what you know is right and patiently endure unfair treatment. 20
Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently,
God is pleased with you. 21 For God called you to dogood, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 22 He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of
God, who always judges fairly.
We can expect to suffer the same things Jesus did in life, primarily rejection and mistreatment. (Note that Jesus never suffered sickness or lack during His life, until He died on the cross for us).
Yet in all this, we can rejoice, knowing that God our Father is just, and He will protect us and reward us for doing His will.
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Signed:
Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban
Bishop Elias Taban Parangi during his opening remark and
interpreted by Hon. Amet
Ametthe Information
Minister of Gogrial State.
The Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban encouraged the communities of Aguok, Apuk, Kuac and Awan to pray to God and to ask Jesus for solutions to the ongoing conflict in Gogrial State. The Bishop concluded his remarks by urging the Gogrial State communities to soul search the causes of the conflict and to think strategically on what needs to happen if lasting Peace is to be achieved. The four communities (Aguok, Apuk, Kuac and Awan) were grouped into four and were asked to discuss and address the following questions:
1. What is the cause of the conflict in Gogrial State 2. Who is behind the conflict in Gogrial State
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a. Is it the Gelwang (cattle c. Is it the Government keepers)? Officials? Or b. Is it the Intellectuals? d. Is it the Businessmen? e. Is it the youth? 3. What do you think can be done to bring lasting peace in Gogrial State?Or 4. What do you think are the tools for Peace Building for Gogrial State? These questions drove the participants to soul searching, strategic thoughts and listed a series of causes of the conflict, grievances and possible solutions to ending the conflict.
Root Causes of Conflict in Gogrial State expressed by the community of Aguok According to group presentation of the community of Aguok, the causes of conflict in Gogrial State are attributed to the following reasons: 1. Aguok community has no conflict with Gogrial state but Aguok community has conflict with Apuk community due to cattle raiding. The example cited was that Mr. Nyan Diue Nyan, a member of Aguok community who was on his way home along with his 39 cows and goats was killed by members of Apuk community and his cows and goats were taken. 2. All head chiefs of the conflict area of Aguok and Apuk communities were arrested and sent to Tonj prisons by the Governor of former
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Warrap State and thereafter the chiefs were asked to pay Dia (blood money). The chiefs of Aguok collected one thousand cows for the Dia and handed over the Aguok criminals (Bol Akol Atem and Akot) who killed the people of Apuk community to Warrap State authority. However, the Apuk chiefs and people did not respond to their part of charges and the government at the time failed to implement the rule of law. As a result, the Apuk community continued to stay on the offensive. 3. In 2008 Apuk community raided 4703 cattle belonging to people of Aguok community. The Government ordered its army to organize the return of the raided cattle but to the dismay of the people of Aguok, Only 700 of the 4,703 cattle were returned. The remaining 4,003 are not recovered to date.
Aguok Community during group discussion.
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These three points were raised as an example of many instances where the Aguok community pointed figures to the Apuk community for causing conflict in the State.
On the question that who is really behind the conflict in Gogrial State, the Aguok community expressed that the people behind the causes of the conflict in Gogrial State should be addressed by the State Government through:
Involvement of the State Government to determine and investigate the people behind the conflict in Gogrial State.
The Aguok community further expressed that a lasting peace in
Gogrial State can only be achieved through:
1. Creation of joint military forces to be stationed throughout
Gogrial State to help disarm those carrying unlawful arms.
2. Establishment of a court of Justice by the National Government
all over Gogrial state to enforce law and order
3. Bringing Chiefs from Tonj and Awiel States to Gogrial State to
help with the present conflict cases because the chiefs of former
Warrap State are somewhat implicated in the current conflict.
And finally, the Aguok community expressed that the tools for peace building for Gogrial State are simply the provision of: Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 19 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN
1. Scholarships for youth in the states to help educate them in
areas of skills building.
2. Building roads and bridges over the rivers of Gogrial State.
3. Train youth in Vocational skills such as Agriculture, Carpentry,
laying bricks and etc.
4. Provision of health services to the entire Gogrial state.
5. Relief supply to the entire population of the displaced
communities of Gogrial State
Root Causes of Conflict in Gogrial State expressed by the community of Apuk According to group presentation by the Apuk Community, the causes of conflict in Gogrial State are attributed to the following reasons:
1. Changes of names of places
2. Boarder conflicts
3. Criminal offences
The Apuk community further expressed that the people behind the conflict in Gogrial State are:
1. The Gelwengs (cattle keepers) 2. Intellectuals 3. Community leaders
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The Apuk communityadded that a lasting peace in Gogrial State can only be achieved through:
1. Organizing a conference that brings elders, community leaders,
youth leaders, women and youth
2. The state investigations of those behind the conflict
3. Formation of a neutral members of the community to carry out
such investigations
4. Relief support of help the displaced persons return to their
homeland (IDPs)
5. Community disarmament
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And finally, the Apuk community expressed that the tools for peace building for Gogrial State are simply the provision of:
1. Health services to the people
2. Schools and education
3. water points for both human and animal consumptions
4. Food security
Causes of Conflict in Gogrial State expressed by the community of Kuac
The Kuac Community attributed the causes of conflict in Gogrial State to thefollowing reasons:
1. Cattle raiding
2. Fire arms in the hands of youth
3. Revenge attacks
4. Territorial ambition
5. Sectionalism
6. Conflicts over grazing land
7. Incitement and association
8. Killing of innocent people (women, children and the elderly)
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9. Harboring of culprits
10. Poverty
11. Chauvinism
12. Unemployment
Kuac Community during group discussioon
The Kuac community also expressed that the people behind the conflict in GogrialState are categorized as folllows:
1. Gelwengs (cattle keepers)
2. Politicians
3. Intellectuals
4. Chiefs and robbers
5. Government officials
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6. Urban youths (use of social media to incite conflict)
7. Spear masters (spiritual leaders and or wish doctors)
8. Special court to deal with issues.
The Kuaccommunity belief that a lasting peace in Gogrial State can only be achieved through:
1. Forceful disarmament
2. Provision of relief aid
3. Culprits must be arrested and brought to book.
4. Peace and reconciliation conference
5. Respect of animal rights
6. Deployment of army division to the border between Gogrial
State and Northern Liech State
7. Training and deployment of more troops
8. Improvement of prison facilities
And finally, the Kuac community expressed that the tools for peace building for Gogrial State are simply the provision of the following:
1. Promotion of good governance.
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2. Service delivery to the people (roads, schools, health centers
and provision of basic services).
3. Rural transformation programs
4. Engagement of youth in income generation activities.
Causes of Conflict in Gogrial State expressed by the community of Awan
According to the Awan Community, the causes of conflict in Gogrial State are attributed to:
1. Grazing land
2. Water points (during dry season)
3. Cattle theft
4. Revenge killings
The Awan community further expressed that the people behind the conflict in Gogrial State are the:
1. Intellectuals
2. Gelwengs (cattle keepers)
3. Youth (though social media)
4. Redundant soldiers
5. Absence of law and order
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Awan Community during group discussion
The Awan community added that a lasting peace in Gogrial State can only be achieved through provision of:
1. Security
2. Medical supply to 13 counties
3. Food commodities
4. Shelter materials
5. Cooking utensils
6. Water pumps and maintenance of existing pumps
7. Compensation of those youth who had purchased their guns
using their own properties
8. Vocational training to redundant soldiers
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And finally, the Awan community expressed that the tools for peace building for Gogrial State are simply:
The deployment of forces for disarmament (security provision)
1. Provision of security roads (Construction of roads)
2. Arrest of culprits
3. Formation of neutral investigation body
4. Formation of special court
5. Peace building and healing conference
6. Construction of youth centers for vacationing training
7. Provision of Agriculture materials for training
8. Provision of veterinary services
9. Training of organized forces
The discussions and findings lead to the following resolutions:
1. Peace building and healing conference be organized in Gogrial
State within the shortest possible time by the evangelical
Presbyterian Church that brings all sons and daughters of Gogrial
State so as to arrest the conflict immediately.
2. The communities resolved that Youth carrying unauthorized arms
must be disarmed immediately.
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3. The communities of Gogrial State call on well-wishers to provide
immediate relief assistance to support the displaced people of
Gogrial State.
4. The communities resolved that lasting peace can be achieved
through provision of basic services such as.
a) Water points for both human and animal consumptions.
b) Schools and education
c) Food security and health services.
5. The communities of Gogrial State called upon all sons and
daughters of Gogrial State to abandon evil and accept God in the
quest for a lasting Peace immediately.
6. The communities resolved that State Government must provide in
the State as well as restore the rule of law immediately.
7. The communities resolved that peace building is required through:
a) Promotion of good governance.
b) Rural transformation programs.
c) Youth engagement in income generation activities and training
of organized forces.
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8. The communities resolved that lasting Peace can be achieved
when:
a) Special courts are established
b) Neutral investigative body is established in Gogrial State to
investigate and try current cases.
The signatories and the witness to this communiqué for the implementation of the Gogrial Peace Initiatives [GPI] are as follows:
______Hon. Ludoviko Lual Aken Chief Justice Ambrose Riny Thiik Chairman Chairman Aguok Community Apuk Community – Juba
______Gen. Agasio Akol Tong Jackson Akot Majok Chairman, Chairman Awan Community Kuac Community
Witnessed by:
……………………………..…………………. Most Rev. Bishop; Elias Taban Parangi Head of EPC Peace Desk Republic of South Sudan
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The participants who attended the four day meeting were recorded as follows:
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Signing Ceremony of Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiatives
Before the signing Ceremony of Gogrial State Grassroots peace initiatives, the following communicate was read:
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Thhe signing ceremony was colourful and attended by H.ECol. David Lokonga Moses, the Governor of Yei River State and members of his Cabinet, H.E Gregory Deng Kuach, the Governor of Gogrial State, Government officials, National and State Parliamentarians, Intellectuals, Elders, H.E Col. David Lokonga Moseses Community Leaders, Chiefs, Sons and Daughters of Gogrial State.
Among other dignitaries were the Chief Mediator Most Reverend Bishop Elias Taban Parangi and members of the Episcopal Presbyterian Church Mediation Team, Commissioner of Yei River County, Chiefs of Yei River County,Members of South Sudanese Communities in Yei, Gogrial State Students in Yei, Local and National Media.
H.E Governor Gregory Deng Kuach said he came to Yei River State to search for Peace because he wants to see Peace in Gogrial State. The Governor thanked his counterpart Governor David Lokonga Moses and the people of Yei River State for the hospitality accorded to him
Gogrial State Grassroots Peace Initiative Page 37 Peace is in our hands in Jesus names ‐ AMEN and his company and above all Governor Kuach thanked Bishop Elias Taban Parangi and the entire mediation team of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church for extending Jesus to the people of Gogrial State. After concluding his remarks, he was preceded by H.E Governor David Lokonga Moses who spoke candidly on the need for Peace in Gogrial State, the need for Peace at his home State and the need for Peace in the whole of South Sudan. Governor Lokonga added that Communities of Gogrial State have chosen the H.E Governor Gregory Deng Kuach right path by coming to Yei to seek the guidance of Bishop Elias Taban Paragi,in their quest for Peace. Governor Lokonga concluded his remarks by urging the participants to embrace Peace and said, from now on he will be calling the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) center a “Peace Center”.
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The Most Rev. Bishop Elias Taban Parangi, appreciated the people of Gogrial State for accepting God’s will for humanity and noted that it is a divine role to make peace, and as men of God, they have nothing in mind than preaching peace and reconciliation in a practical manner, they need to see a stable society with absence of men abusing other creatures, they provide solution where there is contention, Bishop Elias Taban Parangi noted that his role to mediate peace is inspired by the gospel of 2Corinth 5:18-19. The Bishop encouraged the participants with the biblical words in Isaiah 40:18 and urged the communities of Gogrial State to be strong in what is in their hearts and to approach the conflict in Gogrial State with the vision of God. The Bishop called Governor Gregory “my brother” because Governor Gregory came to Yei to soul search for Peace and for this reason, the Bishop is thankful. The Bishop then concluded his remarks by urging participants to accept Jesus and for Jesus to be the answer to the conflict in Gogrial State.
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Participants celebrating Gr assroots Peace AgA reementn
Following the celebration of the Gogrial Grassroots Peace Agreement in Yei River State, the resolutions were forwarded to the President of the Republic of South Sudan H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit for endorsement. The response of the President was positive and he supported the continuation of the dialogue and the meddiation by His Lordship Bishop Elias Taban. Below is the content of his response.
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