Telar Deng: All delegates, please come in.

Rev. Simon Bil: (from SUC, Ngok, Upper Nile) The blessing of the living God. Let us be silent. We will read a passage from scripture in Dinka and Nuer languages. I will first read in Dinka. Our passage is I Corinthians 12:12-21 (Rev. Simon reads, followed by Rev. George Riak in Nuer and Makur in English). This is the word of the Lord. Let us be silent, and calm ourselves and listen to the word of the Lord. What I say will not be translated in detail because you have already heard the reading. If one has two hands, is there any hand he can reject? You have two legs. Which would you reject. You have two eyes. Which would you reject? The Bible tells us that we need all these body parts. We are one Body with many parts. There is none that we hate for they all belong to the body and each has a function. That's why the ear cannot reject the foot. The eye cannot reject the hand, saying we don't want you. Each has its own function. If you had no ears, how would you hear? If you have no eyes, how can you see? And if you have no feet, how can you walk? Every part has its own work to do, and yet they all comprise one body. The body is one with many parts. My reflections will end here. What remains is a word of thanks. There is a story of a hyena and a fox who were walking along together, heading toward the house of hyena. When they arrived at the house they found the child of the hyena was sick. The hyena took his spear and began to invoke God, asking him to forgive his child. The hyena promised that, if he passes through the compound of another animal he will not devour any goat or make any offence. He would not even touch a goat that he found lost in the forest. Finally the fox told hyena that, if you pray like this, I don't believe your child will survive. So the hyena stopped praying and told the fox he repented of the manner in which he had prayed. And this is my appeal to our gathering here, that, since we have come, let us repudiate all the evil we have committed and live as one people. (Rev. Matthew requests that the song "Power, give us power, God give us power. Let us triumph over evil through Jesus who leads us." be sung in Dinka.) Very good. If there are those who know the Nuer hymn, I will sing it now. This is a song of joy. I'll sing the song in Nuer, "Peace, peace . . . " (poor rendition, but followed by applause)

Rev. Matthew Mathiang: Father in heaven, we commit the session this morning to you for guidance. Give us a spirit of forgiveness. Guide the chairman and all who will speak before us. Give them wisdom. We pray in the name of Christ. Amen.

Michael Wal Duany: We will now begin with our morning session (discussion about the illness of the Nuer translator who had a fever the previous evening; singing in Dinka arises led by a cantor). You Dinka, let us be quiet, and let us listen. I greet all of you. This morning meeting is open. Today the addresses of the Nuer will be finished. There are a number who will speak. We have two women who will speak. As well, we will hear from those from Nasir, and Akobo, and Pibor, on the East Bank. As well, we will hear from a representative of the army, as well as the Commissioner. Finally, we have several elders. Among them Gaijal Dor has especially asked to speak. You who will speak, please try to be concise, limiting yourselves to 10 to 20 minutes each. Please do not monopolise the time. We will also allow Dinka chiefs who have asked to speak to have opportunity during the afternoon session. Those who speak, please do not fill the time with lengthy greetings. Go straight to your point. Benydit Gaijak Dor, you are welcome. Bring him with his chair.

Chief Gaijal Dor: (the old and frail chief is brought forward and seated on his chair; Nuer translator begins to sing a praise song with responses). Please be quiet. I greet you all. You, all you chiefs, I greet you. Tell the Government (meeting) that, when I want to say something. I am a Nuer from Luach. Long ago when we were young men of Mayenathuc, and Awal Wol, and Majak Ruai, and Mathil Anyuon, our land was united as one. If we quarrelled in the toc I say today, there was a severe punishment if a Nuer were killed, 50 head of cattle were to be paid in compensation. This is known to Malwal Wun. If a court case was to be conducted for three days, and if it were not fulfilled, and the verdict was confirmed by God. the youth confronted each other in the toc, he had to be compensated. If someone is killed secretly at night, his death will require compensation of 100 cows. What I will now address my words to Malwal Athien, Giir Thiik, and Det Matthew, and then Madut Agueer, and to Mading Manyel. I stay in Wun Cuei. My words are finished.

MWD: Thank you Chief Gaijal Dor, for your words. I now invite Maria Yamuon Chol from Adok.

Maria Nyamuon Chol: (chair: you have 10 minutes). First, I give thank God for gathering us together. I greet all you church leaders who are here. I have a song which says God is for all of us. It finishes by saying that we join our hands together in the name God (sings in Nuer, translated from English). Let me say that, when people were created, they were first created in Leer. My name is Yamun Chol Drom Ler, a member of the Catholic Church in which I have been a catchiest for nine years. I now have 20 minutes, but I'll only take half of that time. The only person I know is Chief Madut Aguer, and I will give part of my time to him. I want you to listen to Chief Madut. A meeting has three sections: there are people who support peace. There are others who, like thieves, are against our goals. They are among us here. Good and evil go together. As we've now been here for several days, we want to weed out the good from the evil. I'm pleased with all the men who are present because you have been calm and patient. All the Nuer who have come are here for the sake of peace. We women see them believe the men have accepted this peace, because we women don't take sides. We women of Dinka and Nuer, we are the ones who bear children, and we are most effected by disaster. I say this, our problem is that we have not previously been able to meet as we do today. I have little to say, but to advise you all that it is God who has given us peace and reconciliation, and it is concluded. I refer to one of the speakers who mentioned the punishment of thieves. I mention another punishment. Since we have listed the things that have gone wrong, let these things pass and be finished. There are those who here who will seek revenge. I say these people should also be published like thieves are punished. Every year we should have two conferences: These will enable people to resolve problems between them. We women, what we desire is that the death of our children will be ended. I disagree with those who take sides, saying they follow one leader or another. You don't know if hose leaders have reconciled over in other places or not. Those leaders may have already reconciled, and it is a shame among you to perpetuate these conflicts. I appeal to you to stop repeating the errors you have committed in the past, after you leave this hall.

If you repeat what you have done it will be like the old saying. Once there was a woman who went to the river with her husband. They found a hippo which they thought was dead. The husband returned to his wife and said, all our properties are nothing. Discard them all. You take a basket and let us go to the riverside. When they found the hippo the man intended to remove the intestines from the hippo. The man had an ivory bracelet on, He pushed his hand into the stomach of the hippo, and the hippo pulled him into the river. He remained with the hippo for a long time, When at last he came out he was nearly dead. If you go back to fight with your selves, you'll be like that man who told his wife to discard all their property. When he returned home, he found they had nothing left.

I like the lovers of peace because of something that happened to me in Ethiopia. When we were there President Mungisto was the ruler, of Amharic, and the Oromo liberation movement fought against him. When the Oromo wanted to get rid of Mungisto they snack into Addis Ababa. When Mungisto was about to fall he called on John Garang to assist him with soldiers. The Red Army of the SPLA reinforced Mungisto with soldiers. As they fought the soldiers of Mengisto, the Ethiopians refused to fight and it was only our Sudanese sons who were killed. We want people who are able to deceive the people as the Oromos did. I suggest that we create five border stations, each supplied with communication equipment. If I had time I would proceed further, but for now, I say only that I am thankful for our gathering. I would like to invite Chief Madut Agueer to speak for 10 minutes, but this is the chairman's decision.

MWD: Thank you Nyamuon. Though you have exceeded your 10 minutes we will comply with your wish and allow the chief to have 10 minutes. Welcome.

Chief Madut Agueer: Bill Lowrey, Mario Muor Muor, the commissioners, the men of government, I greet you all heartily. I begin with a single point. The land where the red people, the white people, the black people, the land belongs to its owner.

The word of the church leaders is a united word. I want to go with my brothers to the place of Luac. God has brought peace and reconciliation. Who would violate this peace, whether those of our side or the other side? Long ago we had the same airstrip at Wun Cuei. Wau was also there. But today our land is destroyed. Why? Now we have joined our hands in peace. You, our brothers who went to Bilpham: if we still have problems among ourselves, it is your responsibility. This reconciliation we are enacting out, I feel it in my heart. Those men, John Garang and Riak Machar, are reconciled, and we must return to our normal life. Next year, in 2,000, we will no longer suffer as we have. We who dwell in the land of our fathers will return to our normal relationships. This elder, Gaidit, I would like him to be taken with me together to Makuac, and the station Pawen, and our airstrip at Wun Cui. I request, you Bill Lowrey, that you transport Girdit to Wun Cui. No hostility remains in our hearts. Like the translator, Kongar, he is my brother. We are together. There is no conflict between us. We have met with each other. Myself, and the entire South, we have been reconciled. If anyone among us has any complaint, whether in SPLA or among us, or those of Madut, God will remove such a person. Today my brothers here, I would like to walk with you today so that we go to sacrifice bulls together. I will proceed from there to the border facing Chief Adet Madhieu, and that facing me. There I will sacrifice more bulls. What has been said is good. I myself, when we went to Leer, all of you who are now gathered here, you Telar. It has never happened Telar, that your wife has washed your feet (as happened Nuer, washing Telar's feet at Leer). This reconciliation is taking place. When Mabior was sacrificed, let it be upon your forehead. And the bulls which we will sacrifice at Makuac will b e on behalf of us all. The land, what other truth do we possess? During the famine of last year, many D and many N died. We ate water lilies, and on them we survived alone. When you use firearms (having abandoned the toc, but if there were no fighting we would have survived by eating lilies). This year, with our brothers, Bill has brought us together to be reconcile. What I say, the man who is not yet convinced, you thieves, I advise you to devour your own property. John Garang and Riak Machar have now been reconciled by God. Those who are still fighting are asked here. This reconciliation, may God remove from us many evil people. We have two big men. There is Gaijel and Malual Wun, they are our fathers to all of us. If they are the ones who bring great confusion among us, the bull we sacrifice will take them along with them (in death, to the place above). But God has placed them among us here that they may stay in peace. May God preserve their lives so they can tell us the stories of our ancestors. If we the younger men are confused in our relationships (chair asks for brevity, time is finished). Now, no evil remains. At the end of this conference, we will accompany them to Makuac. I greet you Magok. Come forward, and you Maria Nyamuon, come forward, that I may greet you. If you have hidden anything in your heart, God will reveal it openly (they come forward to shake hands, holding them aloft; the Dinka sing "Doray . . ."; Nuer respond; Peter leads the Nuer in responsive chant).

Chief Wilfred Ring: (elder man, begins to sing before the people). You have heard the words of the son of Agur Adel. The doubts in the minds of Dinka and Nuer have now been finished. Your fathers, they never brought people to come see what we are doing. You used to resolve your conflicts alone without any outside observers. We are delighted that we have many diverse people gathered here. Now you hear the Luach singing outside. I address myself to the dead and among the living, that reconciliation has now been completed. Among them are various people. In honour of Bill Lowrey the Dinka and Nuer should give him a fine ox name.

MWD: We thank you for your words. I now call upon Sarah Nyanyuot Chol to speak. Please do not exceed ten minutes.

Sarah Nyanyuot Chol: I greet you, all my sisters, here present. Certainly we are glad that woman have been permitted to speak in these meetings. I am joyful that people have met together. It has long been true that women are ignored, like a dog that passes by, no one pays attention to it. I invite the leader of the woman's association in Wunlit to stand before us. All of you, but especially the youth, be patient and listen to what the women have to say. It is good that we women are here to witness the outcome of these meetings. We women whom God has entrusted with the work of giving birth, I am not certain that we are as productive as we once were. Is it God's error that our children are dying. Tell us what evil we have done that the children keep dying. The person I have been searching for has come. I want to grasp hands so that our young people can see that we are reconciled. Any resolutions that come from this meeting should also include the contribution of we women. Throughout the recent years of war we have been unhappy with our soldiers. Long ago, when God created us . In this meeting it is not you who will make decisions alone, but we women must also participate. When your youth used to go to the bush the head of the army would write to the Chiefs, requiring that young men be recruited into the army. This letter, written by the Commander, brought the death of many youth and women, of all our people. When youth are not well trained they commit abuses among the people. Our youth were not properly trained and brought torment even to their own mothers. Once a child is born it is expected to do good for the benefit for the entire community. We women have come here for peace and reconciliation. If women were not participating, we would have doubted its authenticity. The suggestions already made about creating courts along our shared borders should also include women. We would like to be like women in other parts of the world who share in decision making. As well, we would like women to be trained as radio operators for the radio sets that will be purchased. You women who are in attendance, the youth who are being played with, these are our own children. If we share in decision making then let us administer over our children too. If we do not take a prominent role then our hopes will not be fulfilled. I invite all women to participate fully in this conference.

There was a the case between the lion and the monkey. When the monkey helped bring the lion out of a well he'd fallen into, the lion wanted to devour the monkey. I refer to the thieves that move by night. Once you are caught, you thieves, since you are the ones confusing people, even though people don't eat other human beings, we will eat you. This will be an example to all thieves, encouraging them to stop robbing others, but to stay quietly. The accord we will sign will not be from human beings, but it will come from God. When we sacrificed Mabor, there was no cow that was sacrificed. Observe, you thieves, this sacrifice was on your place (chair: time is finished). I asked my sister (a Dinka) to stand beside me because I want to show those who make problems among us, that we stand together for peace and reconciliation. We women, we will grasp our hands together. I remind you all that women should be included in any border administration and be trained as radio operators. I am also grateful to the Dinka for their initiatives. We had children who are among you here, and they have been properly initiated according to Nuer tradition (chanting begins on Nuer side led by elder chief).

MWD: If the translator is not good, please don't abuse the translator. Speak gently (Maker: this is worth $200 per hour. I apologise for my actions just now as this is a meeting for reconciliation. We have many languages. The work of translation is very difficult and requires patience; please listen carefully.). We here for a positive work, not for the negative. I ask the translators to listen carefully so that concepts are well conveyed. We now shift to the East Bank, and those chiefs from Jikeny, Nasir and Pibor. The chiefs from the East Bank because, if there are conflicts between sections, they can act as mediators there also. They are observers and mediators. I invite the Chief of Nasir, Stephen Wol Kang to come speak. I welcome you.

Stephen Wol Kang: I greet you all. The Dinka do not want a curse from me, nor do I want a curse from them. I have come because of the good word of peace and reconciliation. This process is not for a single person. Since we are meeting Wun Liet we have invoked God to witness our actions. This women includes women, and not only the men. Women ask why they are dying, and condemn the men of causing death. These thieves who raid, are they not married. Mabior, who was sacrificed, he was not only killed to cleanse the sins of the men, but these of the women also. Can't the women ask their husbands, where have you brought this bull from? The cow which is stolen, it is you women who first drink its milk. You are part of our problems also. You, Dinka and Nuer, do you know why the dogs fight? Something happened in Itang. Two children went to play near the river, a Dinka and Nuer. The Nuer was about to drown, but he caught a branch and hung there for some time. When the mother came she asked the children where her child was. The children said they didn't know. She went to the river calling for her child. When she was asked why, she said the child has been eaten. What ate it. She replied, a Dinka has eaten my child. The Dinka and Nuer began to fight, and soldiers came to separate them and stop the fighting. The Dinka searched for the child, and brought it to those gathered. She was asked why she accused the Dinka of eating her child. She replied, No, they were hiding the child now, and planned to eat it in the night. Is this not the same as a quarrel between dogs? Our conflicts are like those of dogs, who fight without any purpose. Suppose Bill Lowrey asks you to bring five people form Dinka and five from Nuer to be killed s you are given your land, will you accept it? Those who go to raid, are their names being recorded by the authorities? What brought the fight was hunger. If the Dinka have sorghum and the Nuer have none, they go to buy from the Dinka. The reverse is also true. Nuer go to Dinkaland in search of sorghum. The struggle for power is not only in Sudan, but it is all over the world, and this struggle should not effect the common people. Concerning the army I say this. When I was small I thought those who are educated were wise and intelligent. Can those who have not been educated claim the place of leadership? Today those who have been educated have all left, off to Nairobi or further afield. Those who are left are here killing themselves. I ask Chief Magok concerning John Garang and Riak Machar, why do people from Adok don't fight with those of Bor over leadership, and leave us alone. From this conflict we can see that those people of Bentiu / Adok don't speak to Riak Machar, and those of Bor don't speak with Garang, then we will think twice. You chiefs of Bentiu /Adok and chiefs of Bor don't advise your respective leaders, than we people of the South will challenge you because you have not carried your responsibilities carefully. If you people of Western Upper Nile, and Bahr el Ghazel are serious, than you must walk together, on foot along the border. You people from Khartoum, what has brought you here? I understand that last night there was a message on BBC saying there is a meeting underway. I advise you Dinka and Nuer, that the rest of the Southerners are watching you. What matters is we Dinka and Nuer, that no one will deny the importance of our agreements here. You Dinka, you often say that the Nuer speak falsehood, but today, you must confirm that we speak the truth. You Dinka often say that the stomach of the Dinka cannot be washed (the inner parts cannot be known). Many are tired of observing us. I say to Bill Lowrey, when you assist somebody in helping himself, those with whom we are at odds are the government who have tanks. Don't simply bring us food. A tank cannot be destroyed with a sack of grain. We doubt if you are helping us because we say that America is powerful, but we wonder what assistance we are receiving. Our fathers used to tell us that, once the US is committed to a cause, they will not deviate. But we wonder about this. You who have assisted us at Wunit, increase it with water. Let us not leave the people at Wunlit in sorrow, but help them with water and sorghum. You, people of Bahr el Ghazel, and you of Wunlit, I ask you call a meeting with the Western Nuer and Dinka to call a meeting in April of next year. I am now concluding, to let others speak. I greet you all, and request that you take your hands of the cows and stop stealing. The toc in which we usually meet, Dinka and Nuer, let us meet there now as brothers. We kill ourselves over cattle. The dog is more intelligent than the cow? If a dog is in the compound and porridge is left out, the dog will protect the food from the dog that comes near. Your cow, however, when it meets other cattle, it will bring other cattle to your garden to devour your crops. All the weapons we now possess have been brought by John Garang. The armaments we have Can the value of a single cow equal all the armaments we now possess?

MWD: I am grateful to Stephen Wal Kang. He assisted us in the negotiations between Lau and Jikany. I thank Stephen for your remarks. I now call Charles Reth Kok.

Chief Charles Reth Kok: I will not greet you because time is short. It is not because I don't like you. You are my people and I love you all. You Dinka and Nuer, I caution you to be careful of what you observed in Mabior. It was very wild. I have come from Akobo, and I have never seen a bull as wild as that bull. Anyone who resumes these conflicts, Mabior will take revenge on him, because he died for our reconciliation. We the chiefs, we are like a python that protects its children. When there is conflict it will cover its children so that they will not be burnt by fire. We heard that we had a terrible enemy that wants to take our land, and we all went to Bilpham so we could prepare to fight him. When we went to the bush, we fought for the land. We thought we would have many good things. All of us would receive a salary. But is the salary the same as cattle? Let us leave aside John Garang and Riak Machar, and focus on our own issues. Dr. Riak decided to carry the struggle forward peacefully through negotiation, and he made a peace agreement with the enemy. I say this asking that we wait to see whether or not the four year agreement, is successful. Alternately, let Garang continue fighting to see if he achieves what he is after. If there is something good deriving from either we will see in time. These two men might unite at any time, and we have no idea when that will occur. For the present, let us be calm. We civilians, let us separate ourselves from the soldiers, and refrain from looting. Ultimately the soldiers will be ashamed of their thievery. The looting of cows is perpetuated because of the participation of we civilians. If we stop supporting it, it will cease (chair: 5 minutes). I came from Akobo for the pace of S Sudan. Let us stop seeking after cattle, for, if we obtain peace, then we will have our cattle; we will cultivate and make good use of our land. If conflict continues we will end up with nothing. There are those who have defected from both sides, and what will be their destiny we don't know. Only God knows their future (Paulino Matip & Carbino). In concluding my speech, I pray that our meeting will be blessed by God. In Akobo we have conflicts like those I have described. We too will need to seek solutions to these problems.

MWD: Thank you for your speech. I now call on Chief Stephen Alan Lokini, a representative from Murle in Pibor. Stephen will provide his advice, we people of Upper Nile and we of Bahr el Ghazel. He is coming from Boma. Welcome.

Chief Stephen Alan Lokini: Let us pray (prays in vernacular; some people applaud during prayer). I greet you Dinka and Nuer. I'm not happy because during the past four days I have heard nothing, whether in Dinka or Nuer, or in English. I come from Pibor, a very far place, and I will return to tell people what has occurred here. This is not because I can solve your problems, but because I have observed your deliberations. I wonder if God is not angry with us. If he is, then it is with good cause. In Isaiah 18 it says that the peoples of Southern Sudan will fight among themselves and suffer greatly. Why is this hard word directed against us alone? As we discuss the conflicts between the Dinka and Nuer I am continually hearing the names of Garang and Paulino, and others, saying they are responsible. It must be known that our suffering has been predicted in the Bible. We know that the walls of Jerusalem were destroyed long ago, and this kind of suffering is nothing new upon the earth. You, my brothers, let us pray fervently, but it is God who must remove this prophecy from our land, so that peace can dawn. We the small tribe of the Murle are looking to the Dinka and Nuer who are so numerous. If you destroy the South it will be on your necks and we will not be responsible. We the rest of the Southerners, we want someone who can lead the South forward into liberation. We do not want a useless leader who accomplishes nothing, leaving John Garang and Riak Machar aside. You, Dinka and Nuer, you are the ones who have brought in the Arabs, and the Arabs are slaughtering you. As I observed in Akobo in 1964, some 70 people were killed, including headmaster of the school, Martin Mirich, and many others were killed in Bor. Very few of our people were killed, but it is you have lost so many of your people to the Arabs. The evil the Arabs have done to us Murle is the rape of our girls. This is destroying our society, and we hate it. We chiefs of Murle are 105 in number. We fought the Arabs in Boma and chased them away. Boma is the first town to be liberated in the South, while you Dinka and Nuer are still combined with the Arabs who occupy the towns in your areas. You Dinka and Nuer have come to solve your problems in this place, and Mabior has been sacrificed to remove the evil in your midst. If we Murle had done this, we could not return to fighting. I exhort you, do not return to conflict again. I greet you black people in your black land, in your black water, in your black fish. Peace be with you.

MWD: We remain now with only ten minutes until we conclude our morning session. We will now hear from a representative of the army, Commander Peter Par Jiek (Nuer begin chanting responsively, led by old man).

Commander Peter Par Jiek: I come from Bentiu. I will not waste time in greeting but affirm those already extended. I will not repeat what has been said by my father and my mother. We the Southern Sudan Defence Forces of Unity State, we support this peace initiative. Since the Loki Accord was signed, and Rev. Matthew and Telar and Isaac Magok presented it to us, I have been fully in support of it, practically implementing it. Immediately I sent orders to Adoor and all the border areas, declaring that no thief shall be allowed to cross the Dinka and Nuer border to raid from the cattle. To confirm this, during the last rainy season, I sent three Dinka soldiers who are with me carrying letters to the Dinka commanders. My letter stated that we should live in peace with each other with freedom for our peoples to pass over to each other lands. (Chairman asks the meeting if these letters were received, to please confirm this. Response: there are no military people here; Peter Par says that Deputy Governor Alfred confirmed they had been received). I was waiting to receive a reply. Had one come, I wanted to go to Makuac with 15 soldiers. This did not occur. Now, when I was coming, some of my forces forbade me from coming. I told them I must go, and my body guard will be the word of Peace. Because I support peace I do not refuse to die. I would be recorded in history if I died for peace. You are saying that there are no soldiers among you Dinka. But I ask you, if Peace is agreed, then who will protect it, if not the soldiers? (response form Dinka individual: Selva Kiir as SPLA second in Command was here). Yesterday a woman asked why the commanders of the army are hiding themselves. Selva was formerly my commander. Many people know me. I was among those who captured Boma with Col Maiwel, whose deputy I was. We liberated Boma together. You speak of Carbino: he first came to fight you in Bahr el Ghazel. When he left for Nairobi, he returned to your land. We have no relationship with him. Before I leave here I hope I will have opportunity to meet with Commander Selva Kiir, as well as with the Commander who has authority over the border areas. Concerning the issue of radios being set on the borders, I suggest these should be in the hands of the chiefs, and not under military authority. My time is now finished. Let us not be hostile to those of our brothers who have come from Khartoum. If there has been away for them to come join us, let us be thankful. Even our women suffer greatly in Khartoum. Trying to survive they brew local beer for which they are put in jail. All of our people suffer and need to be brought South to be reunited with us in their homeland. As I conclude, I invite you all to go to the toc, go graze your cattle, go and fish and eat your catch, go to collect water lilies. Let us all return and join together in the toc for this is once again a place where you will find safety.

MWD: Thank you Commander. The morning session is now finished. Those who have spoken have expressed themselves well. When we return after lunch we will invite the Dinka chiefs from the border regions to speak. Those who have not spoken will be given opportunity if we have the time. When we return the chair will be given to a woman, Ayen Maguot.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: The food was set out late today due to lack of water, so we must wait as people gather. You, women, please continue to sing. I say to you men, you must stop ridiculing women. Today we have the victory, for I am your chairman. Even if we are silent the children learn from their parents. In the past we have not spoken because you have deprived us. We women are honest in what we say. Those who begin this afternoon are those Dinka chiefs on the border with Nuer. We do not need to repeat the evil that has happened over again. It has been as if people are in the darkness. That which happened in darkness cannot be explained properly in the day time. If I were I would have abandoned all the conflicts of the past and begin anew. The stories of our ancestors said that the world was dark and people dwelled in darkness. There was a man called Pabek who spoke in the darkness. He took an axe and tried to cut the root of the earth, so the earth was divided into two pieces. It is said that Pabek cut the earth in two, dividing it between night and day. Since the people of the Church have decided to allow us to have day and night, we appeal Dinka and Nuer, if Bill is like Pabek, who has cut the earth in night and day, to chalk the matters of the day. Let us leave the things of darkness and focus on the activities of daylight. Now we are going to begin, but I have one more comment. Because I am a woman the time has been deprived, and time has been cut from an hour to 30 minutes. Now our time is late and it is 3:30 when we begin. I am doing this with fear. If I give a person additional time I might be rebuked. Those who will now speak first are the chiefs of Yirol who are on the border with Nuer. We have already vomitted out the bad things. Let us say the good things that will help us to live in peace. I am very pleased to have left behind the confusion of Dinka and Nuer, and now have responsibility as the chair. I assume responsibility as an independent person. The first speaker from Yirol is Chief Rec Ater. You are welcome. You will have 15 minutes, and your colleague from Yirol the same.

Chief Rec Ater Bar: I am from Adior Payam in Yirol County. I am not complaining though time is short. I will not waste time with greetings. We Adoor section are on the border with Nuer of Chief Malual Awol (chair: Maker, please settle down and be silent). Our concern is proceeding with conciliation for peace negotiations have brought us. Many have spoken and accepted peace. If anything has gone wrong between Dinka and Nuer, it will not provoke us any longer. They are past. Last time we reconciled with Nuer and it was good. Our problems began with Anyana I. Prior to that Nuer quarrelled with Dinka, but from the time of Anyana I they executed raids in the cattle camp of Tiit and at Ameth. Between those of Malual Wun and Yirol it began in 1969. They proceeded as far as Jang Lou, in the area of Pagarou. They raided a camp called Nyigwal Gut, and again Wun Cum. Then another, called Angapraan. This was the beginning of conflict between Gainlel and Yirol. In 1972 the Peace Agreement was made and people were reconciled. Again, in 1978 a peace meeting like this occurred and it was chaired by Lualwal Akuei. The late Commissioner Joshua Dewal presided at Gainlel. Judge Maker Akot from Malakal was also present, as well as Mading Anicjong, the commander of faith. And Isaiah Kulong the Commissioner, John Akot, and John Wal, a lawyer, a province judge. The reason I say this is to point out that meetings greater than this one occurred before. In 1991 our people the Nuer say it is just a lie (Kaiclor). After that big meeting they came again to raid our cattle. It was agreed in the same way. There would be no raid again. If someone raided the cattle were to be returned. If some one raids again, and if people are killed again during the raiding, they will not be compensation. If people are killed then no compensation must be paid because they are guilty. The agreement was binding for both Dinka and Nuer. What caused raiding to occur again, I say this: those cattle that have been raided in 1991, and those taken recently in February, 1999, All this is covered legally by what was agreed in Gainlel. You have heard from the Deputy Commander Selva Kiir, that the cattle that have been raided must be returned. The cattle that have been raided must be exchanged between Dinka and Nuer. The meeting we are now holding is like a delicious meal, and we want to eat until we are satisfied. What can I say: I have agreed to peace. I have been reconciled with Chief Malual, we have shaken hand. It is as if I've been anointed with perfume and someone can smell it far away; so I will take this word to my people.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: I have seen what is happening in this hall. You are despising our session because it is chaired by a woman. Law is strong like a man and I will act like a man today. Chief Rec Anyeth will speak now. Come. Please do not be annoyed, but there was some confusion in our list.

Chief Rec Anyeth Rec: (applause for this very tall man; green hat, pink Nigerian made 2-piece costume with embroidery). What I have to say is brief. I will speak briefly. I am a man of Yirol County. I have returned. In Leverite marriage you don't take the wife of deceased brother until after he has died. I was a bit shy to come forward to come before such a big meeting. There was some confusing between the first person, called Rec Ater, and myself who is really the chief. It seems that Rec Ater was put in my position which was not appropriate. Let us leave that. The speakers have covered many topics. I am a Dinka, as you can see by my height. I had assumed that you would refuse any peace agreement. If you had, I would have selected 3 from Nuer and 3 from Dinka and staged a rebellion. This would not be to kill people but to establish a protest group of tall people. We would go near the river, and we would tell the short people, who will help you cross the river since we will not carry you. And I will make it a condition that he who accepts reconciliation, will be taken across the river. We haven't got to the root of the matter. I say this because, when we slaughtered Mabior, it is unusual to divide the meet before the bull is slaughtered. We have been brought here, we chiefs of Dinka and Nuer, to determine between these two schools of thought. There are those who think the meet should be divided before it is killed, and those who say after it is killed and the skin has been taken. But we have been wasting time not saying who is right and who is wrong, without defining decisively who is right and wrong. It seems we are fearful of speaking the truth, because we are public officials with our signs of rank. We are afraid of being dismissed from our positions of leadership. Now that we are confirming reconciliation, there are still a great many weapons in the hands of civilians. For this reason I suggest that all weapons be collected in one place. The Nuer is the child of my mother. He is a brother who, if you fall into problems, he will always assist you, fighting alongside you. We want to be one people so that we can fight our common enemy (chair: 3 minutes). People have covered many issues, speaking of cattle raided, people abducted, but I must add the following. A group of people raided my house. As they came they found my wife in labour, and a neighbour had gone to find a midwife to assist. The wife was inside a mosquito net to deliver. The raiders killed the husband, the midwife, and the woman who was delivering, and the new-born baby. I ask what kind of humanity is that that would kill a baby that was about to see the world for the first time. I'm putting this question you, those who say we should be reconciled. If some one prevents us from going outside and seeing the light and stretching our legs. How can we agree to such restrictions?

(applause). I'll answer a questions that came from a Nuer, when he suggested they should teach us how to cultivate. I want to sure him that we know how to cultivate. The grain we throw on the ground, some of it grows and some does not. Yours does not grow because it is under the ground. When we meet again we will give you the best millet flour for a fine feast. I will also reply to our Nuer brother who asked us to keep out of the dispute of Riak Machar & John Garang, saying they are both from Upper Nile. It is not good to discriminate like this. As well you cannot omit the massive area of Bahr el Ghazal, which also is concerned with these issue of power. I conclude with this. It was suggested that cattle taken in the recent raid on 18th of February, be collected and returned to the owners. I agree that they should be returned, but they are probably cattle that were raided previously. All who are concerned should gather at a central place to identify the origins of cattle. I will close, possibly meeting you again at another meeting, should our agreements be violated again.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: I assure you, Chief that you were not left to be second out of disrespect. You chiefs assume you only have the right to speak. I ask if we who give birth to fighters do not also have the right to speak? All this time you chiefs have been talking, and this without success. Now you must give freedom to common people to speak. Now we invite the representatives of Gogrial County to speak, the first being, Chiefs of Jur Maninger, Chief Gardial Abot Majak whose area borders the Nuer areas. Please remember that our words today are conciliatory. You and your brother will have a total of 30 minutes. You listed ourselves as 4 speakers; it is your choice how you divide your time.

Chief Gardial Abot Majak: I greet you. Greetings have been offered. I am a chief of the court of Jur Maningar and my centre is Maletnhom. I want to know if we are here to make jokes or to do the work of reconciliation. If the latter, then there was something that our brothrs said yesterday that reminds me of the story about the bat and the birds. These creatures held a court case concerning a murder that had been committed by the birds. Together the birds decided to pay blood money. They called on the bat to contribute toward the compensation because, they said, he was one of them and therefore bears responsibility. My brothers are not actually speaking of reconciliation. Every time they speak of Riak Machar and John Garang, this is not reconciliation to my mind. Riak Machar is in Khartoum, and John Garang is in Bilpham. The Nuer say that John Garang and Riak Machar must each remain with his soldiers, separately from the other. How is this possible? This kind of position seems impossible. It seems you have had your own meeting already and decided how you will speak to Dinka. As we were coming here several days ago. a section of the Nuer attacked our area and raided cattle. This action, when we claim now that we are reconciling, are we actually including those sections that have attacked us so recently? We are all here today, all the way across, from West to East. Have you called on those Nuer raiders, as we have brought representatives of all our people. Why is it that we Dinka have brought ourselves, but yet not all of your Nuer are represented here. If you are serious about reconciliation Riak Machar must leave Khartoum, and meet with John Garang, and come and compete over leadership as children of one woman. They can't compete for leadership when one is in Khartoum and one is in the South. When we met here some days ago Selva Kiir came among us. Is Kiir Mayardit not equal to Riak Machar? He came nevertheless to this meeting and gave a speech which you all heard. Even though he had left his meeting you have no doubt about his stance. We are now in doubt about the authenticity of your participation. What you are saying is doubtful. Perhaps you have another idea. Even if we meet today, you will return to your old ways tomorrow, raiding cattle. I'm sure that, even if the cattle are collected, we will identify some that were raided; perhaps some you have taken, and raided back and forth. You have mixed up the entire population of cattle. I believe that this is a sham reconciliation, similar to what we had long ago with Judge Tular at Majangajuer. At that time we collected many cattle, and gave them to Nuer so that they could make compensation at Apuk Mawut. All of these remained with Nuer. Another meeting was held at Matur Anyang (Gadiang). In the same meeting cattle were collected and we were assured that we would receive cattle from Nuer, but they never came. I conclude with the following, and that is the issue of Riak Machar and John Garang. The Nuer said that Riak Machar and John Garang should each remain with their armies.

Clarification from Organising Committee (Peter Nyot): This conference is not here to reconcile John Garang and Riak Machar. This conferences for the grassroots citizens and leaders. Military leaders will meet at another time separate from the present gathering.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: The next speaker is from Gogrial County. This is Albino Akang Yual. He has only 7 minutes remaining because his brother has spoken at length.

Chief Albino Akang Yual: Greetings to all of you. I haven't much to say as time is finished. I say, we have been left with only a few days. We have heard about this reconciliation, which we welcomed. We are tired of conflict. Our only worry is that it is partial, and not complete because other areas of Nuer are absent. Bull is not here. We thought they would contribute prominently. We the people of ..Mangeer are across the border from Bul section. We ask if they have accepted reconciliation. We ourselves have accepted it, but the one called Malual Tura with his chiefs are not involved in fighting. They are at peace as are we, but they are not here. Their absence causes us to wonder if reconciliation is genuine. The chiefs of Bul are not the ones who caused the problem. They are not here and this causes us to wonder why. If it is genuine reconciliation we are not against it. The recent raids last month was against us. They came and set our homes on fire and then returned to Nuerland. This is why I doubt the completeness of this reconciliation. My presence here shows my sincerity in wanting to make peace, but my problem is with those who have not come at all. On the question of Riak Machar and John Garang, I ask if all our delegates could have come if these two men were not aware of our movements. They know we have come together. If this is reconciliation on the grassroots, they probably could not refuse. When food is cooked and served it is unlikely that one will refuse to eat. If it is still uncooked you may assume that it has not appeal and will not be of help. I feel this reconciliation is not yet cooked. I'm not claiming that either John Garang nor Riak Machar is my own leader. What the two of them are doing has not born any fruit that has reached us. John Garang is operating on his own, and Riak Machar is doing the same. The Maurhaliin are doing the same. And we are here, dying in the middle of them all. And now you call on us to come and be reconciled. I will leave some issues for others to address. My time is finished and I will stop.

Chief Bol Thiik: (speaking from the floor) I request that Telar gives me at least five minutes so that I can offer another suggestion for discussion

Commissioner Mayom Akec: (from the floor, making suggestion) I feel that some delegates have come late and do not understand the priorities of our meeting, and why we are not addressing issues of our military factions. Concerns of Carbino and Matip are not to be addressed here because they are heading their own independent initiatives. Also, I feel that our afternoon sessions are not very fruitful, and it should be considered if we should terminate earlier each day.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: I rule that we proceed with our schedule. If there are suggestions about time, these can be addressed in the Management committee. I now invite Chief Dhor Ariik from Tonj County, bordering the Nuer to speak. Please remember that you only have 30 minutes for the four people n your list.

Chief Dhor Arik: Now that I have but four minutes (chair: 30 for four), is this really serious work, or is it a joke? The commissioner of Rumbek County acknowledged that it is well not to talk during this late time of day. It is preferable to take adequate time to speak. The things we are saying are valuable and tend to be wishy washy, as I see it. I see that our elder Daniel Malual Awol is addressed in a way that is not respectful. Why do people speak of reconciliation and at the same time speak aggressively. This is why I we are being soft and unclear. When Bill Lowrey conducted the chiefs? exchange, five to five, were we really being used as sacrificial lambs or what? It seems to me that the Dinka and Nuer has been ordained and accepted by God, and all of Bill's efforts have been blessed. Objections were raised against our visit to Nuerland. We overruled those objections, saying that even if the five of us were killed, that would be justified if our going led to peace in our land. In fact the objections had some ground, because it was said that we could be killed as happened one time at Adoor Payok. That was a reconciliation which was done with empty hands, without any arms. We went to Nuerland, and were warmly received, and we were impressed. Our Nuer brothers have now come to this side, but some of them are disappointed as shown in several statements we heard yesterday. They were taken back by the personal attacks that came out during some speeches. I'm addressing the Dinka side of the house. When dawn breaks, the sun shines all over the entire world, not only for a part of it. This conferences, facilitated by NSCC and Bill Lowrey is not confined to only one part, but it dawns all over. Concerning Matip, we must continue with our reconciliation process, regardless what he is doing. The vulture says that there is only one law: you must slaughter the cow. In that light, the NSCC and Bill Lowrey tell us that, if you have reconciliation, you must speak what is in you, and be done with it. Those negative elements seem to take a large place in what we are saying, reoccurring and overshadowing all else. It is obvious that both Dinka and Nuer are conscious of the bad things they have inflicted upon one another. The evil they have done, the killing of women and children and elders, and abduction of cows, aren't these all evil actions? It is my position that all these evil things should be forgiven and forgotten.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: Your time is finished; If you ask why then when will your brother speak?). You seem to think that, if Peter told you, you would stop; but you defy me because I am a woman. You have heard a powerful speech from chief Door Arik. Remaining is an address from Tonj. Our next speaker is Chief Natala Anai from Tonj County. You have only 10 minutes.

Chief Natala Anai: It is sufficient. I will begin in this way. Yesterday our brother Nuer stood here, those girls and boys who have been abducted must return to their fathers. Boys must be returned to their fathers, but if the girl is wanted by a Nuer, then she can be married by the Nuer. My question: should these girls be married before they are returned to their fathers, or should they be married where they are? (Chair: this has been answered yesterday saying that abducted girls in Nuerland. The choice goes to the girl. If she wants to return home she is free to do so. If she wants to stay, then the cattle should be paid to the family and she can remain). In my opinion no girl should be married while she is in the possession of those who abducted her. She must first be returned to her people, and only after this should marriage be negotiated. Both John Garang and Riak Machar are from Upper Nile. Therefore, why should the people of Bahr el Ghazal enter in to fight when this is an issue of Upper Nile. My answer: we have not gone there to fight. It is you who came to Bahr el Ghazal to fight. In November, 1989, Riak Machar came to a place near Kongor in Bahr el Ghazal called Mangar Deng Kual. He told Door Arik, to come with his people and conduct reconciliation. In March, 1990, the people of The people of Chief Dol Malith went and rustled cattle. Riak Machar himself came and said he wanted to receive the cattle of Nuer that were raided. He was told that these cows taken from Nuer has among them some which were originally our own. He said that these cows had been taken from renegades, the Nyagat. A solider called Nhomrong raised a complaint over this position of Riak Machar, but Riak Machar had him executed with 25 rounds of bullets. In 1991 Judge Tular summoned us to a meeting and we all attended including Madhol Lang from Tuic County and Thiik Awou Giir. It was decided to collect all the cattle of the Nuer. We asked how we could retrieve our cattle if the Nuer have theirs. We were assured that we would receive our cattle in October, 7 months later, when we knew that at that time the area would be flooded. On the 28th of January, the Nuer raided the cattle camp of Agoth Them and went to Wun Makuac, went to Aguuroe, and these were the cattle of Chief Dor Arik. They took all the cattle, including even the stools for resting one's head. The reconciliation came to an end. I say this for clarity. We don't want to reopen all these wounds, but for the record. It is a fact that reconciliation has some recurring themes. I conclude saying, you Bill Lowrey and NSCC, you have now begun reconciliation again. We advise you to carry the reconciliation all the way to include John Garang and Riak Machar. If you reconcile those two then you assist with the liberation of the country. If they contest power then it should be in front of the people. If these two are not reconciled than I suggest that Upper Nile should be independent. Bahr el Ghazal should be independent. Equatoria should be independent. Thus death will come to end. I greet you.

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: We will give 10 minutes to a representative of Tonj County, Chief Mario Maluk Lual.

Chief Mario Maluk Lual: We are talking but never speaking enough. Some of the points have already been covered. Some points have been covered. What is happening is reconciliation. We accept it. I am one who went on the chief's exchang visit. As Door said, we went to Nuerland for reconciliation. This is actually our event, made possible by our exchange visits. People from Nuer came here because they believed they would be safe. We have held sever meetings already. I have been part of the meeting at Gainlel. What concerns us on this side, is that, when we hold a meeting, and designate the offender, it takes a long time to see him brought to justice, if ever it happens. For example, when we met at Gainlel, we took someone who had offended from Nuer, and we were after a murder called Khalifa. The Nuer was never brought to justice and Khalifa was never handed over. The same happened at the meeting Tular chaired. We paid compensation for the men killed by Dinka, but compensation was never paid by the Nuer. We therefore call on our brothers the Nuer take these issues seriously. What is agreed must be carried to completion. (chair: time is finished). I would also like to emphasise that we would like the NSCC to promote mutual visits between us. If we can meet without fear it is good. Should reconciliation include John Garang and Riak Machar (Chair: please conclude so people can go home).

Chair Person Ayen Maguot: I'm pleased with you delegates here, and glad that you have designated me as chair. Our concerns of time are not a great concern to us women. The women should know that, the men have regularly submitted lists without women listed, at least you can take solace that I have been in the chair for a short time. We want our women to speak because you men have cheated us for too long. Men clam they go to war and leave the women with the children to suffer at home. When we come to a meeting like this as women for such talks so that the men can also stay at home to fulfil their responsibilities. We women will continue to pray continually until God hears and blesses us with peace and reconciliation. I conclude my speech and now give the floor to the Management Committee.

Peter Nyot Kok: There are people left from Rumbek County who will speak tomorrow morning. There are those from Bul section who have recently arrived who will speak as well. You will also have opportunity to speak in the working groups which we will form tomorrow. But you must speak on the subject. Those groups will later report to the full house. There will be more opportunity to present your views if you speak to the subject. We will begin tomorrow at 8:30 in the morning. Bishop tells me that we will have a prayer now as we close.

Bishop Henry Riak: We say the grace in our languages.