Mission Aviation Fellowship helps with peace negotiations in southern Sudan

"If MAF hadn't flown in the peace conference's facilitator, there would have been great strife. They were our Wings of Peace," affirms Seth Le Leu, Country Director for World Vision in Sudan.

In southern Sudan, cattle rustling is often the cause of conflict between different clans, as cows are very important to young men who need them as an endowment for marriage. Dinka men are defined by being warriors, so peace is counter to their identity. Not just anyone can mediate such negotiations.

Due to facilitate a peace conference between Dinka and Nuer clans, World Vision had difficulty bringing together all the negotiators and the chief mediator. Rose Mary from World Vision called MAF's team in Lokichoggio, northern Kenya, asking for a last-minute flight to Labone on the Ugandan border to collect chief mediator Rev Okumu.

When pilot Kea Arnlund tried to land at Labone, he discovered the airstrip was overgrown with tall elephant grass and bushes. Returning to Juba without his passenger, KeA met Sara Green from World Vision who explained, "The whole peace project hinges on his presence!"

Gaining assurance that the grass airstrip would be cut, KeA made arrangements to return to Labone.

Flying first to Marial Lou, KeA collected the first Dinka group of ten representatives from the community appointed for the peace talks. The following day, he flew to Labone and was able to land. He remarked, "Rev Okumu is radiant when he tells me how they managed to mobilise the church and village to clear the strip."

During the flight, Rev Okumo who is often involved in peace negotiations explained his methods. "First of all, I try to understand the root of the conflict by listening to both parties. Many times it's all about cattle rustling, about grazing, or about access to water. Then I spend a lot of time talking and teaching about human rights. All men are equal before God and before the law. But we also have responsibilities of caring for one another and managing our resources.

"I have also come to realise that community development such as schools, access to medical treatment, water, is crucial in creating a long-term solution to a conflict."

Airborne again for Mapear, KeA collected the second group of negotiators before landing in Mayendit where the conference was taking place. "Now everybody is here and the peace conference is on! Thanks for making this possible," Sara shared.

The outcome of the peace conference was very positive, with an agreement signed between the clans including a section on small arms control.