Ladies and Gentlemen, brothers and sisters in Christ, our Fathers and mothers, greetings to each and all of you It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to this peace & reconciliation Conference for Dinka and Nuer at Wunlit. This is a landmark occasion. It is a great occasion, a historical one. It is, however, an event in a long and challenging process of reconciliation and peace between our peoples. It is peace between ourselves, and a peace of the society with itself. Like charity, peace & reconciliation must begin at home. I am glad to affirm that reconciliation and peace have begun and what we are witnessing here today is an important and highly critical stage in the process.

In 1996 the church issued its position paper on peace & reconciliation in Sudan in the document, "Here we Stand, United Action for Peace". That was in connection with the North-South Peace Process. Since 1991, however, the Sudanese churches have also been engaged in South-South reconciliation and peace with varying results. This was clearly affirmed in July, 1997, in the Church-SPLM/SPLA Dialogue Conference. We have learned a great deal from these efforts as we have also learned from the stalled peace talks under IGAD.

One of the lessons we have learned is that any promising peace effort must derive from the initiative of and be sustained by people at the grass roots of our societies. No major peace initiative to date has taken so seriously the voice of the common people, the voices of our chiefs, civil society-centred organisations, and the civilian populations they represent.

Secondly, we have learned that peace making demands a systematic, rational, and concerted effort toward problem solving. There are Dinka and Nuer chiefs among us here who have sat together for long hours analysing the specific steps that must be taken to move our entire societies toward peaceful and familial coexistence.

Thirdly, we have learned the supreme importance of friendship between the civilian leaders of our Southern Peoples. For at least a decade our neighbouring chiefs have been alienated from each other, unable to meet as fellow human beings all of whom suffer under the impact of war. This conference gives us an unprecedented opportunity to know each other as sons and daughters, Dinka and Nuer, of the same God, whose desire for all of us is peace.

You all know about the Lokichokio Conference of June, 1998. You are also aware of the exchange of visits between Nuer chiefs and Dinka chiefs in the run-up to this conference. All who were present were profoundly moved by the sincerity and joy of that encounter between our peoples. You are all aware of all the preparations that have been made to make this conference possible.

Today we are here witnessing the coming to fruition of these efforts. I must say, however, that peacemaking and reconciliation is not and should not be a monopoly of any single body. It is a big mission which needs all of us, the Church, women's groups, the youth, the elderly, SPLA/SPLM, UDSF and all concerned factions, and that of the chiefs, to be realised. All of us join in the spirit of co-operation, brotherly and sisterly love, in the realisation of this mission. The road is long, and that is to be expected. The obstacles are many, and that is to be expected. The enemies of peace and unity are many, cunning and resourceful, and that is to be expected. But what is not to be expected and mustn't be expected, is for any of us to give up or falter or fail. We shall not do that, we shall undertake sustained effort until unity and peace and reconciliation are achieved. And the best place to begin is with ourselves.

We must accept the fact that we ourselves are responsible for peace and nobody else. It is we who must negotiate it and sustain it though out own hard work. If we show that we are genuinely committed to peace, that we are fighting against the evil that kills our people, than the peace-makers of the world will come running to our aid and support us to the full. However, if we fan the fires of division and conflict we must be assured that many who want to see our destruction will come to assist in our destruc.

Christ says, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye" (Matthew 7:3). By starting with this Dinka-Nuer Conference we are only removing the first among many planks that are in the eyes of our Southern peoples. Christ went on to say,

"If anyone says, 'I love God, and yet hates his brother (or sister), he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. He has given us his command: whoever loves God must love his brother.'"

These words from our Lord are also reflected in various traditions, the common wisdom within our Dinka and Nuer cultures. Our cultures are full of examples of conflict resolution conferences, reconciliation ceremonies, long-standing vendettas concluded with numerous rituals and cleansing ceremonies. It is common language that the two ethnic groups are cousins and the myth of the lost calf or heifer is known to you all, but we say too you today that no number of cows are worth the blood that has been spilt between our peoples by both sides. No heifer is worth the property that has been destroyed or looted in the Dinka-Nuer conflicts, and no heifer is worth the danger to which we have exposed ourselves by feuding with one another.

Today both the Nuer and the Dinka are in danger of being destroyed by a common enemy which is not interested in us but in our land and what is beneath the surface of our land. This very meeting is clear evidence, if any were needed, that the Nuer and the Dinka are here to stay, and are here to live in peace, and to preach peace and bear witness to peace. This meeting , as I have said, and here again emphasise, is the beginning of a reconciliation process between various ethnic groups. We need Didinga-Dinka reconciliation, Nuer-Schilluk reconciliation, Fertit-Dinka reconciliation, Lotuka-Mahdi reconciliation, and so forth.

In this process we will call upon our own resources and resourcefulness and those of our partners in Africa and outside Africa to help. Many of our partners have already helped in making this conference possible. We are profoundly grateful for their longstanding commitment with us in the past, and persevering ith us into the future. Some of these are presently with us and others will join us during the conference. The SPLA/SPLM, the UDSF and other concerned factions have also helped in making this conference possible. In our immediate context we extend our appreciation to the SPLA represented by the Deputy Chairman, Commander Selva Kiir de Mayardit, the Governor, Nhial Deng Nhial, the Deputy Governor, Retired General, Deng Aluk, the Commissioner, Andrew Kuac Mayom, and all other commanders and administrators. We thank them deeply for their support and assistance. We thank Mario Muor Muor and the chiefs of this area, the youth of this area, the women of this area, and the elders, for making this event possible. We also thank the other members of the Conference Management Committee, Rev. Dr. Bill Lowery, Chief Conference Facilitator, Dr. Peter Nyot Kok, Dr. Michael Waal Duany, Judge Telar Riing Deng, Pastor Matthew Mathiang Deng, Nyawaraga Joshua, Awut Madhieu Anyuon, and the supporting staff for their sustaining effort in this enterprise. Our appreciation also to members of the Conference Organising Team led by Carolyn Kurtz, PCUSA, including Phil and Louie Reiman. We recognize the Rapporteur Team led by John Luk. I personally would like to recongize the Rev. Dr. Marc Nikkel, a longtime friend of the NSCC, who has shown his commitment to the peoples of the Sudan for nearly two decades. We are grateful that, despite severe health concerns, he has been enabled to assist us at this conference. We thank the staff of the NSCC for their co-operation, despite their other duties. Last but not least, the women who have been doing the cooking and the young men who have been cleaning the houses, and performing other services for us.

As we close I draw your attention to Romans 12:17-21

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is mine to avenge. I will repay," says the Lord. on the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

I would like to conclude with an appeal to all churches in the Sudan and in the Southern Sudan in particular, that they devote part of their prayers tomorrow, Sunday, to pray for the success of this conference, and that they continue praying until this conference is concluded.

Thank you very much for listening. I declare this conference open. God bless you in your deliberations.

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As I stand here today I speak of my own life (as a metaphor for the life of our communities). The leopard skin has to be brought to cover my back as I make my invocation to God. I am an old man and need help in standing (an attendant grasps his arm to steady him). I speak to you, O God of all. Our God, with my brothers, this is the land. We, all of us, we Southerners, we are all people of one God. We have fought each other for many years, O God. I myself have been a great fighter. My ancestors before me were warriors, and I fought fiercely for many years. We elders know the history of these conflicts. Formerly we observed certain restrictions. The young men had the right to kill other warriors, but never did they kill women or children or elders or young boys. When I used to go raiding I advised people never to kill women or children. Today, however, we have transgressed, killing anyone we meet, young and old, woman and children. Because of this slaughter God has brought us together in this meeting to discuss these things. It is now many years since we have been reconciled and cut away our conflicts, and yet our hostilities still remain.

God our Father, God of the earth, I speak on behalf of our people who live upon the earth. Let the many bad years go. Let the one son left to us (those who survived the years of war), and the one who has come to us now (the Conference organisers), unite us. You will see how good it is. All the chiefs are here. My children: Follow God! Let us leave theft. This child whom you have called, this one Jesus, has come to reconcile us. This year we are blessed that he has come among us. Malual Wun, haven't you seen him? (one of the major Nuer chiefs attending the meeting). And our leaders, Malwal Wun and Gai Jal, have you not seen them? If we have not agreed no war against the Dinka can occur. And I (representing all our people), I have fought with Agar and with Atuot. Also with Kulong Marial whose land borders ours. You who rob people by night, the thief who comes by night, he is not my father. I myself, am the great thief (confessing that that he is speaking on behalf of all the people, Dinka and Nuer as his own children). But today I have left that.

My six children have been killed, and I have left them behind. I have killed them (through the recent conflicts). Riek and Garang, they are my two children. Come back home! Come back home! Let us unite and chase the Arabs away! I have those who stay there, where there is water (in the grazing lands where people have conflict over resources). Go there, and we will cut them off. I say Makur, Jakur, my cows are very fat. Come and we will sacrifice Mabior. Yesterday, in the beginning, the sun killed the people (during recent years of famine and drought). Cirong Kuol (the great grandfather of the chief who contributed the bull, Mabior) . . . and the sun killed people. We fought in a bad time. I am the child of one mother, and my uncles. I am a child of Jobong Cuor. I am a Nuer. And if I meet them now, I will kill them. And the old man called Gaijal Wuor. The old man called Wiu, the old man, his child called (Peter) Nyuong who is here now. I like to move. Go. If I meet a young man and a girl, they must not be killed. The young woman doesn't want war. The woman fights (for peace). You children are their children. The sacrifice of the white bull has made things good. My mother is from the Dinka. The war is finished! The war is finished! When he begins to shake we kill him, the white bull, Mabior. Malual Wun is coming. I am a man who raids (pec). Long ago I was a commander in war, long ago . My children, my feet cannot move anymore. My children of the school, let them go, abandon them. Girls who remain, my children who remain at Tharagep (an Agar cattle Camp raided by men of Mulual Wun). O, God of the cattle camp, those who stay with my father. I have two sons. Their legs were cut off. My two daughters are here with you the Dinka, but we have forgiven. Now our women will produce children. All the cows taken, let them be forgotten. God, give us power. I have given birth. In that place far away. Malual Wun. Gana Duool. I know I am the man who has fire. Those who sit on those seats. Let us go. We have killed the white bull for peace. Some children have been taken by the sun (through famine). These are my children who are all related. Haven't you seen the bull, the white bull? We will sacrifice a bull together with the Dinka. He will be cool. If there are those who don't know my name. It will be told. It is not me alone. The entire cattle camp will speak. Jokrial! Jokrial! (calling his personal bull name). This is my invocation. It is yours.

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Welcome. I thank you all very much for your attendance. I will not bore you with a speech. I have only a few remarks to make. I will be brief because this is not our forum. It is your forum. Perhaps the only reason Commander Salva Kiir, and the Deputy Governor are here is to lend support to this historic occasion. This gathering is a rare political landmark in the history of our struggle. Because for once, we, the politicians have taken the back seat, and for the next days all the attention will be focused on you, what you can design for yourselves. To be with you today is an honour and a privilege. I will not be able to mention each of you as individuals or organisations, but I tell you we are grateful that you have come, and thankful for the work that has gone to make this occasion a success. The fact that it is taking place at all in this venue today, regardless of the outcome, is remarkable, and I am hopeful that something positive will derive from your discussions. I truly feel that I and the county commissioners who assist me in running the administration of the region, are the proudest people in this hall today. I want to say to the leaders of the Nuer community, that the fact that you have come to this location means that you have bestowed complete confidence in us as an administration. And I would like to say that this confidence is not misplaced. You are right to put your confidence in us. And I declare that anyone who is seeking to support peaceful coexistence between the two communities will always find the doors of Bahr el Ghazal open to them at any time.

However, I would like to offer a word of caution: let us not be carried away by the achievements of today. There remains a great deal of work still to be done. Not all of us are that keen about peace and reconciliation. There is still a minority among us whose interests are being served by the perpetuation of the suffering of our people (Nuer chanting rises up; song starts and is carried on briefly). There are still people among us, and in our two communities, and some of these are well placed. They want to exploit the tragic events of 1991 and call our peoples to take revenge. But what they want is not really revenge, but rather to perpetuate the raids for property and cattle to increase their own wealth. You know that the official policy of the Movement is to pursue peace & reconciliation diligently, so when these incidents occur, you must understand that these are not people instituting the policy of the Movement, but they are doing their own independent will. We would not be sincere if we said that we have everything under control. We have to be honest and tell you the situation as it actually is. However, let me assure you all that we will work hard to stop these cross border raids by individuals acting on their own, even though we may not be able to eliminate them altogether. We will do our best for peaceful coexistence. You are working very hard at your level to achieve piece. We hope that ultimately your initiatives will lead to the point where the political leadership are also going to find unity of purpose. And in this regard I am happy to tell you that, even at the level of political leadership, we are having a fruitful dialogue, it is more hopeful with each passing day. And as evidence of this, shortly before I came here, that I met with Dr. Riak Machar in a foreign country, and I was pleased to find that he had given his full support to this very meeting in which we are now gathered. What is important in the struggle is not the unity of movements and organisations, but the unity of objectives and ideals.

The armed struggle of the people of Sudan and other marginalised areas has grown and become very big, but we should not forget that when it began in 1983, it was Nuer and Jieng who sewed the seeds of the struggle. And I am refraining deliberately from using the word Dinka, and am using the word Jieng, to affirm that the Nuer are one of the very few nationalities in the world that call us by our correct name. And that shows that there is a degree of affinity between ourselves and you. Because that plant (or tree) of the struggle was planted together by Nuer and Jieng, the fruit of that tree will not be harvested but by Nuer and Jieng doing that together. Our struggle is essentially about power. It is not about religion. It is not about culture. It is not about ethnicity, because all these things flow from power. If you are a single individual and you have the power, all people can become what you are because you have the power. All that we are asking for is a share of power, but the reality of the situation is that the oppressors are not going to relinquish any power unless we struggle for it. We do not wage war for the sake of war. We are not war mongers, but we are obliged to wage war, because our rights will not be given to us except through the armed struggle. I will say this, that if the Dinka thinks he can win without the Nuer he is mistaken; if a Nuer believes he can do it without the Jieng, he is mistaken. This is an undertaking that demands that we work together, interdependent each on the other. The SPLA knows very well the benefits of peaceful coexistence between the different nationalities of our country. The SPLA also knows the disadvantages of conflict between our nationalities. This is why the SPLA has consistently worked to bring our people together. When we reconciled our differences with Anyanya II in 1987, we made some of the biggest advances of the war. In 1991 when the split occurred, you all know what happened. The armed struggle requires unity. Even with the war that is going on today, you the common people have rights today that the leadership on both sides are bound to uphold. These rights are the right to life and the right to property. We are going to try using all different means for our part to defend these rights. We shall even try to use our system of courts, now under revision, to ensure the rights of Nuer whose rights may be infringed in these areas. Depending on what resolutions we arrive at, it may even be possible in the foreseeable future for Nuer to come across and receive justice in our courts. If an incident were to occur in Nuerland and cattle were taken, it would be possible for the Nuer to come before our courts and seek reddress. This is one example of the means we could use to restore the rights of the people between our two communities.

The final point I would like to make is really an appeal to the decision makers across our communities. I think the tragedy of our situation throughout South Sudan is that we always take a short term view of the struggle. We need to realise that the past, the present, and the future are all linked. We need to work from the assumption that the struggle is protracted and the present generation will not necessarily benefit from the struggle. If we take this long term view seriously it will become clear that the fruit will come at the end of the road, and we will all benefit. Thank you. I wish you every success in your discussions, and thank you for having listened so patiently.

Before I begin I would like to apologise to all the delegates and guests concerning the absence of our leader, Dr. John Garang de Mabior, who was supposed to attend this gathering. Because of his pressing duties he was not able to attend the opening session of this historic Conference. Though he is absent, he is with us in spirit. There is only one small thing I will say as a joke, about what our father Ruei Kuong said about cross-boarder raiding. I want to say that he has not abandoned raiding as he said, but he has grown old and is not able to pursue that career anymore. Perhaps it is a call that has to be taken by younger people.

Comrade Commander Nhial Deng Nhial, Governor of Bahr el Ghazal Region, all the commissioners, all the delegates, to this important Peace and Reconciliation Conference, chiefs, leaders, women, people of Bahr el Ghazal in general, and our people from Upper Nile, I greet you in the name of our land and our people. Dr. Haruun Ruun, members of the NSCC, honourable invited guests and facilitators, I greet you warmly in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in the name of reconciliation among our peoples. On behalf of the SPLM's leadership and on my own behalf, I greet you all in the name of the struggle, and in the name of the South Sudan. Freedom and dignity have been denied and trampled under foot by successive regimes in Khartoum. My congratulations to Dr. Haruun Ruun, the NSCC, and all those who have organised this great Conference. I congratulate the Nuer chiefs and women who were the first to come to Dinkaland, and Dinka chiefs and women who first went to Nuerland. I congratulate those who crossed to each other's territories, for their courage, putting aside their personal safety for the sake of the larger good. I congratulate the foreign guests, the observers and facilitators for taking the time to come to this remote land, and I congratulate all who are attending this historic Conference. I know that each of you have taken great courage, and made sacrifices to attend. It was not easy but you made it at last. Finally I congratulate the beneficiaries of this Conference, that is, the Dinka & Nuer peoples, whose representatives are in attendance. Our successes will resonate around the world. I offer my congratulations because you have already succeeded even before the Conference has begun.

This Conference is being conducted in the midst of the great loss of elemental blood by both Dinka and Nuer people. I'll therefore not waste time but start by urging all participants to take this opportunity to reflect deeply on the terrible losses we have suffered, Dinka and Nuer, at each other's hands, as well as through the fratricide within our ethnic groups. Let us use this Conference to reach conclusions and recommendations so that there shall be no more losses between Dinka and Nuer, and simultaneously turn our energies against our common enemy. The Jelaba is our enemy. Let us put our efforts toward building up our true friends. Our true friends are peace and reconciliation and unity. Our real enemy, the Jelaba Government in Khartoum, shall, with absolute certainty, be defeated, and the New Sudan be born. Let us lead our people into the new era, the 21st Century, which should be an era of peace and prosperity for the people of Sudan. It is for these reasons that I pour millions of congratulations on you for the success of the Conference. You have finally thwarted the malicious designs that have encouraged our people to kill one another. We must wholeheartedly embrace peace and reconciliation. I wish good luck to our people and bad luck to our enemies. I am sure we have all realised that we need each other. There can be no movement without both the Dinka and Nuer, nor for that matter, without any tribe of Sudan no matter how small.

While pouring out my heart and sentiments to you at this Conference, I would like to seize this opportunity to challenge any who may want to undermine this Conference. I plead with you to come out from your propagation of fratricidal war, and come to support the building up of our peoples. Our people deserve no less than the success of this Conference. Brothers and sisters, these past eight bitter years of strife and war among the Dinka and Nuer, and between Nuer and Nuer, have shown that our unity is invaluable. It is of paramount importance to stop the war. The Dinka are not enemies of the Nuer. We are all brothers and sisters. It is the NIF Government in Khartoum that is the cause of our sufferings. It is the NIF that must go. Let us, therefore, from this Conference onward, beat the drums of peace, the drums of reconciliation, the drums of unity, all over Dinkaland, all over Nuerland, all over the entire country. Let the care of our gentle friends accompany a breeze of peace blowing over all the land, banishing forever the devils and hurricanes of hatred.

In this connection, I would like to convey to you, the participants, especially the chiefs, the elders, and the women, that I have great confidence that this Conference will bring true reconciliation and peace among our people. This Conference is not based on dreams but on reality. It has sprung from the grass roots. It was not concocted in some foreign capital and brought to you in a package. It is you who made this Conference. It is you who are making peace. It is you who are making this effort on the ground. This is the basis for my confidence in the success of the Conference.

Your Conference has also given me opportunity to express my grief and sorrow over the merciless famine that has hit our region of Bahr el Ghazal in recent months. I therefore appeal to all citizens of Bahr el Ghazal in particular, and to all in South Sudan, to grow sufficient food for themselves and for their families during the coming year.

I also seize this opportunity to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to those of the international community and organisations who contributed food to save the lives of our people during our period of dire need. Finally, let us say good-bye to our divisions from this time forward. Let us confirm that our central concern is survival, because the NIF regime has unleashed a war of genocide on us, which is both physical and cultural. Let us appreciate that, in order to survive, we must achieve unconditional peace, we must achieve unconditional reconciliation, we must achieve unconditional unity among and within our people. I conclude by assuring you that I have no doubt that our people will achieve total freedom. And it is the people of the New Sudan, the Nuer and Dinka and all others, who will be responsible for this. I wish you every success in your deliberations.

There was a piece of information which I omitted. It is a piece of information primarily for the chiefs from Nuerland who have come here. We have heard of the most unfortunate incident which took place on the 18th of this month, that some Dinka young men crossed over the border to take cattle in Ganyliel and Nyal, which has resulted in some deaths. This is regrettable and we have taken measures to correct this situation. We ordered the Commander of Rumbek county to send his troops to apprehend whoever is returning from Nuerland. The perpetrators are to be arrested and the cattle will be returned. It is not yet executed, but we expect success. In part, it is this kind or seeking the rights of our people that the Governor referred to. As I said, it was unfortunate and untimely. The Commissioner of Rumbek County who was away when the incident occurred, is now with us. He, along with all the authorities, are confident that this will be dealt with justly. At the same time I request that you of Nuer restrain your young men from retaliating in counter raids. In that mode we will not bring an end to our fighting, which is our objective in this Conference. Such events are very common, even in the area where we are now meeting. On the 23rd of this month a small boy was found dead, killed by an unknown person, and his cattle were taken by unknown people. These things happen among our people, Dinka and Nuer, and we must be prepared to deal with them when they confront us. Once more, I thank you all for your patience, listening to all these long speeches.

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Brothers and sisters in the Conference I greet you in the name of the Chairman of the Movement, Dr. John Garang de Mabior. I also greet you in the name of the people of Tonj County. It was really a concern of our people yesterday that they did not see me welcoming our guests to this meeting house. People were anticipating that, as a Commissioner over this location, I would offer a general welcome to the delegates. It would have been good for me to offer a welcoming word yesterday so that the Commander and the Governor would have also been able to hear from the Commissioner of Tonj County. Nevertheless, let me proceed with a brief speech, even though this will not equal to the speech I had prepared for yesterday.

When we come to the purpose for which we have gathered, we were informed last September that there would be a Nuer Dinka meeting in Tonj County. Preparations were made then, but somewhere in the middle we began to doubt that the meeting could succeed. Why were we doubting? Doubts arose because, in the course of preparations, some important aspects of preparation were not proceeding apace. Communication was not prompt from Nairobi to our end. We received communication at some points, but at others we were lost in the line. There were times when we had difficulty knowing who was responsible for what aspects, who was to prepare what. But in time we found that Mr. Mario Muor Muor and Telar Deng had been given certain responsibilities. I came to this place to speak with the chiefs, asking that they get on with the work of construction as quickly as possible. Building got underway, as did the digging of a well. However, it is unfortunate that we have only one well which results in the congestion we have experienced. So, later, when we saw Mr. Mario running back and forth the words of Shakespeare came to mind when he asked, "Would the Devil speak the truth?" We knew we would have to redouble our efforts. Buildings would have to be built rapidly. For example, these buildings were built quickly using methods inferior to modern types of construction. This is why many of us are sitting on the ground. So much for that: let us proceed.

Let us come to the central matter for which we have gathered. It is good to say that we are here to record a very important event in Tonj County in particular. This is a rare opportunity, hardly to be equalled in our history. The Nuer and the Dinka are one people given their social and cultural backgrounds. But in the course of time we have been divided by the enemies of the people to fight ourselves. However, it is okay because all of us are aware that sons quarrel with their father, and daughters with their mothers. But there comes a time when a family sits together to resolve their differences.

Who did not see the white bull we tethered outside this meeting house yesterday? That bull was so fierce that it tried to attack everyone who passed by! It was not by accident that that particular bull was selected, but by design. This was a design for peace. With the authority of the words spoken by the spearmasters over this bull yesterday, I thought our entire objective had been completed. There would be nothing more to do, except to confirm their words with formalities. If we genuinely understood the words of the spearmasters over the bull and in this meeting hall, I don't think we have much more to say. It has been finished. We have only to reflect on the wise resolutions we can make to trnasform their words into reality.

There is a small thing I will have to say now. Our meeting for peace has drawn people from distant places. Dr. Peter Nyot Kok is here from Germany, and Wal Duany has come from the US. Both have joined us from far places. This shows what serious matters we are engaged in. As well, our foreign press people show that this is a world-wide concern, since organisations from far countries have sent representatives. We have even asked ourselves how some of them have come, if they were invited by the churches or other people. Seeing brother Samuel Aru with a very serious delegation from Khartoum I have asked myself if Omer Bashir is interested in peace.

My friends, translation of this kind makes a very short speech far too long. Therefore, I conclude by comments to the Dinka and Nuer Chiefs. Mine is a word of caution to you. You spoke well yesterday as spearmasters, as elders, and as leaders. I hope that spirit will continue today because we have gathered here to seek peace and reconciliation and unity. I am not saying that you should not air out your views, but that you should speak in a constructive manner: don't quarrel here! Don't quarrel here! Don't quarrel here! You must express your viewpoints with cool heads, rationally, and without raising your emotions. All of us, the intellectual guests, are here to help you arrive at helpful resolutions. You must speak appropriately. It may happen that at some point one of you will call for us to close the discussion because we are all saying the same things. Avoid unhelpful arguments, matters that are not necessary in our discussion of peace and reconciliation. Let us avoid matters that look like we are in the courtroom. This is not a court we are creating here.

So, before I go, I would like my counterpart, the Commissioner, to come here, so that we extend to each other the greetings of peace. (Mr. Joseph Juac, Commissioner of Leer, comes forward, and the two grasp hands, holding their hands aloft before the community; the people on both sides respond with songs, chants, of affirmation).

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I am greeting you in the name of God, in the name of our land, you, the Dinka and Nuer, our guests, and you who have organised this Conference. As well, I am speaking of the peace that was signed on the 21st of April, 1997. So I greet you in the name of the Peace Agreement. I am the person responsible for the Co-ordinating Council in the government of Dr. Riek Machar. I also greet you in the name of this Council. When the Government was formed, the former commanders who had been in the bush, were chosen to become the governors. When I was appointed Commissioner of Leer I was told there was a grassroots peace initiative. Some of my leaders were taken to Loki for the meetings last June, and soon a number of abductees taken from our people were returned to us. I was there to receive them as they returned home.

I have now came here with fourteen chiefs from my area and others from such regions as Akobo and Nasir on the East Bank, as well as those far north of Bentiu. We all came together with the firm hope and enthusiasm for this peace. We came with the hope that the Nuer and Dinka will be able to live in peace. We, the Nuer from the Western Upper Nile, have all come, except those from Mankin in Bul area. You all know the conflict that continues there, and we ask you to hope with us that the fighting in that region will be brought to an end. I have come together with the first Brigade Commander, and Acting Zonal Commander, Peter Par Jiek, so that he can later speak to his forces, asking that they implement the resolutions of this important occasion. We also came with Commander Gabriel Both Yol who is in charge of security in Leer State. As well, the presence of the General Secretary of the USDF expresses the support of Dr. Riek Macar for peace, and will return to report the contents of resolutions made here. Gabriel Yuol Dok, as Secretary of the Party is also with us.

The Khartoum Agreement was signed by Samuel Aru. He did not come here because he is a son of this area but because he is with Dr. Riek in the Government, and is here to witness this important event. The Southern Defence Forces/Movement are represented by Commander Peter Riir Puk. The speech of the Governor of Bahr el Ghazal, Nhial Deng Nhial, made me very happy, when he said that the matter is not simply one of organisations coming together, but of our common objectives. Having heard this, we all slept very soundly, with the hope instilled by these words. As we hear the words of our speakers, we are further convinced by the concrete actions of Commander Salva. We are glad to see his firm, practical commitment to facilitating this effort toward peace between our peoples.

I want to correct the statement made by our elder William, yesterday, when he said that he was a thief. He did not mean that he himself was a thief. We are all children of one father. Those who are raiding cattle are William's children, and thus he identifies with them. It seems this was misunderstood. Historically, we Nuer, have so many Dinka with us, and so many of our chiefs were originally Dinka. When Dinka came to settle in our land, we usually gave him the first place, choosing him as leader. We have no difficulty with a man from afar being a leader among our people.

I conclude my speech offering that history. I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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(This section follows Dr. Lowrey's introduction of individuals concerned with the Conference).

Now I would like to tell you a short story from the Bible, that sets the stage for the Dinka to tell their story before the Nuer, and for the Nuer to tell their story before the Dinka. This is a story that I told for the chiefs and leaders in Lokichokkio (June, 1998), and that was the beginning of three days in which they told their stories, each group to the other. As you know, today is Sunday, which is the first day of the week. It was on a Sunday, after Jesus had died on the cross and been raised from the dead, that this story took place. Most of the disciples were together in a special room, but one was missing. His name was Thomas. And suddenly Jesus appeared in the room, and his message was, "Peace be with you." The disciples were excited to see him, but when they told Thomas, he would not believe it. He said, unless I see him, and put my fingers in his side where the spear went in, I will not believe it. One week later, again on a Sunday, Jesus appeared in the room and Thomas was present. Jesus said to Thomas, "Reach out your fingers and feel the wound where the spear went in."

This is a Conference about reconciliation. Thomas could not be reconciled until he could see the wounds that he had helped to cause, and touch the places where Jesus had been wounded. For seven and a half years now, Nuer have caused wounds and injuries to the Dinka, and for seven and a half years now, Dinka have caused wounds and injuries to the Nuer. If you want to be reconciled you must tell each other the wounds you have suffered. You must look at each other and reach out and touch one another in the places where you have been wounded. It will be important that you speak the truth, that you not hide anything from one another, so that the reconciliation goes deep, and it is a genuine healing of the wounds you have inflicted. When you speak the truth, when you say the hard things to each other, when you identify the issues that must be solved, then you can reconcile relationships, and you can walk out of here saying, "now we are brothers and sisters once again." In just a few minutes, you as the Dinka, will begin to tell the Nuer your stories. Do not hold back. Tell the true stories, no matter how painful it may be. In just a few minutes, when the Dinka tell their stories, you Nuer, you must listen carefully. Do not debate with them, do not argue with them. Relationships begin with listening. And when they have finished you will tell your stories to them. The time of beautiful speeches is over. It is now time for the hard work of peace. You must make a peace that will last. When I sit down, this will be your work. You, Nuer and Dinka, must make this peace and determine how deep the peace will go. May God give you the strength you need.

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I am called Awut, a daughter of Rek and Agar Dinka. I have nothing great to say today. In terms of age I am younger than most of you. I am only a child. The joy we have in occasions such as this, whether you are young or old, does not prohibit the younger person from speaking. I greet you all and consider you all as my children. A woman gives birth to a man, who becomes a white haired elder.

Our meeting together as Nuer and Dinka gives us great joy for all of us have suffered. Many women and children have been killed during the conflicts between our peoples. I express my appreciation to the NSCC and all affiliated churches that have brought us together. I express my thanks to both for SPLA as well as the USDF, for, if they had not agreed, it would not have been possible for us to meet in this way. I thank all the chiefs and elders, Nuer and Dinka, who have come here knowing that fighting will get us nowhere, and affirming that we must discuss our differences in this important gathering. I thank the foreigners who have come all the way to Wunlit to sit down with us and observe our negotiations. I will not speak long.

This is not a court, but a process of reconciliation. We, the women of Bahr el Ghazal, do not want to have our offspring killed any more. These are our children, those to whom we have given birth to. Yesterday someone said that the women had stopped bearing children. It is not only that they have ceased to bear, but that they wish that those who are in the army, as combatants, could return to their wombs again! It is the women of both Nuer and Dinka who have given birth to children, but it is not our desire that our young should die without good reason.

What I beseech you, the chiefs and elders of Nuer and Dinka, is that you will settle your differences, that you come to final resolutions to stop the killing of our children. I will now do as the Commissioner of Tonj has just done. I call on Debora Nyandien to come forward that we as women can greet one another (Debora comes forward; Awut begins to sing, "Door-ee, door-ee;" "Peace, peace, we have come for peace . . ."). We hope you have heard our voices. I have come to express my joy in this peace effort. I have nothing more to say, and give place to Debora.

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I will speak using my own language of Nuer. Let me tell you the reason I will speak in Nuer. I am called Debora Yar Jieng. Those from Yirol and Rumbek will know me. My father and mother were Nuer, but they left their home for Dinkaland long ago. Ultimately they settled near Yirol where my uncle, Nyibol, was residing. My uncles are now here with us. When I married Mathiang Gok, a Nuer, my uncles came to learn that their daughter had been taken back to her Nuer homeland to settle. I will not say more concerning my own history, and go to the heart of my message.

I greet you in the name of all women who have been created by God to bear children. People of God, you the NSCC, and all related churches, I greet you with appreciation for your efforts to bring our peoples, Nuer and Dinka, together that we might live in peace. I also greet all guests who are here. Specifically, I greet Bill Lowrey, with thanks a hundred times over for his efforts throughout this long process until we have at last met at this stage. Ours are the first two communities who went to Bilpam to train to fight this war against the Arabs. Thus, I greet our elder, Samuel Aru Bol, who has come to witness this meeting.

I am a leader among the women. I have come with eleven women from Bentiu to attend this meeting. Six women have come from Khartoum. As well, there are many Dinka women who have come as observers. The Nuer women have sent a message to the Dinka women, which I now declare. This message is similar to that which was given by our sister, Awut. You, women of Nuer and Dinka, and even those from far lands, I want to challenge the men with a question.

(1) I demand to know from the men why it is that our children should be dying thoughout the decades, ever since the beginning of the war of Anyanya I in the 1960s!

(2) I also ask this: since the creation of the earth, in all of human history, has any man ever died with a child in his womb? I'm not demanding an answer, but I want you to think about it. Be quiet, and consider this question.

(3) I'll ask this as well: Has any man ever felt the terrible pains of labour in child birth?

We women, we alone know the pain of giving birth, and our words and our thoughts must be taken seriously! Don't discard the importance of our words! You Dinka and Nuer don't often consider the thoughts of women, but today hear us clearly, concerning all the children who have died among us. I'm saying this because, while you are in discussion, know that we will watch you carefully.

If you don't ultimately take our words seriously, then you must understand we the women will make a revolution: We will stop giving birth! I know you men are laughing because you say that you are married through payment of bride wealth over which women have no control. You say that women have no power to make a revolution against you. However, we are speaking as women of today. We are not women of past times.

Finally, I exhort you also, not to push your discussions ahead without taking a break for refreshment. Take an occasional rest. I conclude here, with thanks.