2nd Tripartite Nile Trade Conference Conducted At Ganyliel A two-day trade conference on 15 and 16 December was conducted at Ganyliel, under the theme, “Tripartite Nile Trade Conference – Ganyliel 2016.”
28 December 2016 By VISTAS GANYLIEL, 28 December 2016 [Gurtong]- The conference brought together 45 Nuer and Dinka traders from Jonglei, Lakes and Unity regions. Also were 10 traders from Jonglei (Duk, Twi and Bor), 6 from Lakes (Awerial, Yirol East and Yirol West), while Unity was represented by 7 traders from Leer, 7 traders from Mayendit and 15 traders from Panyijar County. The conference which was funded by USAID’s VISTAS Program was aimed at resolving conflict issues surrounding trade; to capitalize on opportunities available to deal with current trade and economic challenges facing communities in the three regions; and to build interdependency and intra and inter-ethnic relationships with hope to mitigate conflicts. In addition, the conference was aimed at making trade along the Nile “an important mechanism that binds communities and enables them to live in peaceful coexistence.” The following were items discussed during the conference: a. History of Dinka and Nuer intra and inter-ethnic trade along the Nile. Current traders were briefed by retired traders and elders about Dinka and Nuer trading together along the Nile. Intra and Inter-ethnic ties were discussed from decades before Sudan’s independence in 1956 to the present time. b. Traders discussed challenges and opportunities available for traders. Under this item, heavy taxation, safety and security of traders and their commodities were deliberated upon. c. Identification of regional interests: Traders identified and sincerely elaborated on their interests in the regions they trade with including, the types of commodities and services they would benefit from those they trade within their region and in other regions. d. Role of Traders Unions: Responsibilities of traders unions in expanding the trade, building intra and inter-ethnic relationships along the Nile and how trade and traders challenges could be overcome for people in the three regions to remain resilient in the face of economic and political challenges. e. Cattle trade to reduce cattle raids: Traders discussed challenges presented to traders and trade by the cattle raiders among communities residing along the Nile. f. Traders were able to map actors with the Tripartite Nile Trade and their roles for good or bad. Traders sketched a map of their trade influence and inter-ethnic relationships they are building for peace purposes.One Dinka trader from Jonglei remarked, “We Dinka traders would like and will do our best to move along the Nile to Leer and into Mayendit to trade. We are urging Leer and Mayendit traders that when we come, they should know that we will come for trade and to convey peaceful co-existence among our people. ”One trader from Lakes State said, “I am overjoyed by the accommodation and welcome I get in Panyijar every time I come to this area. When I return to our region, upon my return, many traders will come with me to find and benefit from this trade.” One trader from Leer remarked that, “from the beginning people of Panyijar County understood what the current conflict meant, therefore they have made progress in building trade and inter-ethnic relations with their neighbors despite the ongoing war in the country.”“No South Sudan will exist without Nuer or without Dinka. Dinka will not finish Nuer and Nuer will not finish Dinka. If this is the reality we know, why are we killing each other and not make peace? I am asking you traders to maintain your trade and good relationships. Preach to the rest of Dinka and Nuer that peace and not war will make them progressive,” remarked one Nuer elderly man who was invited to give fatherly closing remarks. Many resolutions were jotted down on what need to be done by traders, actors and partners in trade and peace. Traders agreed that the Tripartite Nile Trade Conference should be “conducted in a different region, in Jonglei or Lakes” should it happen for the 3rd consecutive time next year. Posted in: Home - See more at: http://gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ID/20144/Default.aspx#sthash.f43pD7hk.dpuf -- To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/southsudankob View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/southsudankob/topic-id/message-id For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "South Sudan Info - The Kob" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/group/SouthSudanKob. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SouthSudanKob/CAJb14op1p15W%3DaUJQTzZnQzBBwABG%2Br5vek83TDaa4iObjQx3Q%40mail.gmail.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
