Press Release From: "NEW SUDAN COUNCIL OF CHURCHES" Nairobi, 15th, June 1998 The Nuer-Dinka consultative meeting, which began from 2 - 10 June, has been described by many church and political leaders in Southern Sudan as a major step forward in ending the inter-tribal violence that has affected a significant number of areas in Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal. The meeting which was held, under the auspices of the New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC), at the Kenyan northern border town of Lokichoggio brought together for the first time - since the split of the SPLA/M in 1991 - chiefs and church leaders from the Nuer and Dinka tribes. Over 35 people participated in the consultation, including 3 Dinka and 5 Nuer paramount chiefs respectively. According to Mr. Festus Uffulle, NSCC Peace and Justice Facilitator, the deliberation created a strong quest for reconciliation, as well as concern for the future with a commitment to break the walls of separation. After ten days of intensive discussions, the chiefs and church leaders issued a comprehensive joint message calling on their people and military commanders of SPLA and SSIA to end all hostilities, as well as to renew their commitment to reconciliation and peace. The Nuer and Dinka elders deplored the unnecessary killings of innocent women and children, and called for a halt to all human rights violations. The leaders also supported NSCC peacemaking efforts, but urged the Secretariat to re-double its efforts to include political and military leaders in the reconciliation process. In a peace accord known as Nuer-Dinka Loki Accord, signed by all the major actors, the traditional leaders agreed to hold a series of meetings throughout all communities in East and West Banks of the Nile to pursue all possible means towards a just and lasting peace in the land of Nuer and Dinka. The Accord further demanded that: * Commanders of both sides refrain from hostile acts * Local agreements be respected and honoured * A stop to cattle rustling * A stop to all killings, and abduction of women and children * The recently abducted women and children be returned to their homes * Burning of homesteads should stop * Free movement between Dinka and Nuer areas should be permitted. Minutes and report of the conference can be got from Advocacy and Peace Desk