Note: The following Communique has been released by the New Sudan Council of Churches in it's continuing facilitation of the People-to-People Peace process. This NSCC Women's Peace Workshop was part of the follow-up and implementation of the Wunlit Covenant and Resolutions that were adopted in the Dinka-Nuer West Bank Peace and Reconciliation Conference in March 1999. Regards, SI Administrator ________________ DINKA-NUER RECONCILIATION AND PEACE WORKSHOP COMMUNIQUE 15th June 1999 Lokichoggio, Kenya At the end of these five days (11th to 15th June inclusive) workshop in which our facilitator Dr. Agnes Aboum of TAABCO and our organizer Mrs. Anna Kima of NSCC, took us through the training of the process of reconciliation and conflict resolution; Aware that we are not making a revolution against men; Desirous to be part and partial of the peace process within our communities of Nuer, Dinka and Murle; Willing to commit ourselves to the already agreed upon resolutions in Wunlit; We, the participants hereby wish to adopt the following resolutions and pledge ourselves to implementing them scrupulously and conscientiously in keeping with the vows of peace and reconciliation. We acknowledge and support the efforts that NSCC is exerting in trying to bring reconciliation and peace within our communities and the Sudan as a whole. 1. We support the agreement and resolutions that were made in Wunlit in March 1999 by our Chiefs, church leaders and civil authorities. 2. In the strongest terms possible we condemn the abduction of women and children, raping of women that had happened and brought about the suffering to our people. We appreciate the initiative taken in Wunlit that resulted in the return of some of the abducted women and children and cattle to their owners. 3. We acknowledge that we have been party to encouragement of conflict within our society and communities and therefore pledge to be part of the solution to the problem. 4. We call upon our husbands and children that they should stop immediately the fighting among themselves as southern Sudanese. 5. We ask NSCC to obtain a permit for the women in Kakuma to be able to organize seminars and prayer meetings in the camp to preach reconciliation and peace. We recognize that all that happens in the Sudan is also reflected in Kakuma. We therefore have formed a peace committee of Seven among ourselves to continue with the process of follow up in the camp in Kakuma. 6. The women in Kakuma who attended this training and the others from the Sudan will form a joint committee that will go into the Southern Sudan to conduct ecumenical prayers in call for peace in our Land. We therefore ask NSCC to facilitate this process. The places that would be visited would be chosen in consultation with our church leaders and the women. 7. Women in Kakuma in particular are encouraged to exchange visits within themselves in the camp to show practically the reconciliation and forgiveness that has happened. 8. Ignorance and unawareness has been one of the major problems in our communities, we resolve that NSCC should organize training's for the women and establish adult education in their Centers for the education of the communities. 9. We call upon the leadership of the southern Sudanese to refocus on the vision of Liberation of the people of southern Sudan and pursue it with vigor. 10. We call upon the friends of the southern Sudanese and the partners of NSCC to support us in this initiative to help us help ourselves realize peace in the Sudan. In commitment to the resolutions that we have made, we hereby sign this document to show our commitment and willingness to achieve peace in our community. Mrs. Roda Akon Gai Bor/Paluer Mrs. Sarah Aliet Mangar Bor/Paluer Mrs. Rebecca Yom Ajok Bor/Paluer Mrs. Mary Nyakuola Jok Waat Mrs. Mary Nyaruai Kok Akobo Mrs. Mariea Mer Ruei Mankien Mrs. Mary Nyayouk Leer Mrs. Mary Diew Riek Leer Mrs. Anna Nyaboth Kol Leer Mrs. Sarah Nyaboth Yuot Koch Mrs. Tabitha Nyayoul Gai Nasir Mrs. Sarah Nyamuon Gatbok Pangak Mrs. Mary Nyawani Guandong Nasir Mrs. Veronica Awar Makuei Panarur Mrs. Martha Nyankiir Deng Nyal Mrs. Mary Ayak Mayik Nyal Mrs. Sarah Akuol Pieot Nyal Mrs. Nyanayoul Gai Malieth Atar Mrs. Roda Moroh Muturchar Pibor Mrs. Mary Nyibol Mapor Rumbek Mrs. Rebecca Amac Roc Yirol Witnessed by: Rev. Matthew Mathiang Deng Mr. Emmanuel LoWilla Mr. Gabriel Atem Mr. Simon Chot Mr. Billy Mar Mrs. Magaret Mathiang Mrs. Mary Ruun Mrs. Anna Kima, NSCC Women and Youth Officer for Upper Nile. ( Organiser) NSCC Women Peace Workshop, Loki 11th to June 15, 1999 - - - - - - - - - - - Distributed by Sudan Infonet An Information Service of the Sudan Working Group--USA SudanInfonet@compuserve.com Web Site: http://members.tripod.com/~SudanInfonet/ 6/29/99