Press release

Peace Agreement signed between refugees and host community in Maban

County, Upper Nile state.

March 9, 2014

On March 8, 2014 a peace agreement (attached) was signed in Bunj between

the refugees from the Blue Nile state of Sudan and the host community in Maban

county in the Upper Nile state of South Sudan, at the presence of the

representatives of the two communities. After escaping violence from the conflict

between the Government of Sudan and the SPLM/A-North in Blue Nile since

September 2011, the refugees are now the collateral victims of a new wave of

violence erupted in Upper Nile where clashes erupted between the SPLA and

armed rebels since mid-December 2013. As violence increased in the past two

weeks in Maban County, the refugees were fiercely attacked. On March 3, 2014,

an unidentified armed group attacked civilians near Yusif Batil refugee camp and

raided their cattle. One refugee was reported dead earlier July 2012 latter

followed by targeting individuals from both side up to the latest incident and over

twelve people are unaccounted or been killed in different situations from Maban

community and the Refugees.

The outbreak of violence in Upper Nile has deteriorated the already fragile

stability of the area. The arrival of around 120,000 refugees has almost doubled

the local population and created tension over the scarcity of natural resources in

the past two years. The Maban county is one of the most underdeveloped of

South Sudan, severely affected by the second civil war. Once peaceful neighbors

and traders, the two populations have now been forced to unnatural co-existence

depending on the support of the international community. The conflict in South

Sudan generated local IDPs that stretched even more the allocation of

resources, more so as the assistance of INGOs and UN agencies has reduced

amid insecurity. The new violence has also a severe effect on the already fragile

living and psychological conditions of the refugee community and brought fear

and insecurity especially among women and children. This peace agreement is

an important achievement showing the commitment of the neighboring

communities to peaceful co-existence. The refugee community agreed to abide

by the law of South Sudan while efforts will be undertaken to strengthen the local

police and the rule of law in the camps. The Parties also agree to relocate two

camps, Gendrassa and Yusif Batil, to the more secure area of Kaya camp. The

agreement is a step forward to ensure the security of the area and allow the vital

delivery of basic services from the international community to the population in

need.

The SRRA, as a partner of peace, has facilitated the signing of the agreement

alongside the local authorities of South Sudan. The SRRA is convinced that all

conflicts can be brought to an end through dialogue and commitment.

Hashim Orta

Deputy\ SRRA\ executive