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Civilians and representatives of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces, SSPDF, are convening in Loa for a two-day dialogue aimed at reviewing resolutions from the 2025 Civil-Military Dialogue and charting a path toward peaceful coexistence.

The dialogue, which runs from June 8th to 9th, is organized by the Peace and Justice Commission of the Catholic Diocese of Torit.

The initiative seeks to strengthen trust, restore confidence, and improve relations between civilians and security forces in the area.

The meeting follows a civil-military dialogue held in July 2025 at Loa Parish in Pageri Payam, Magwi County, after an attack on the church compound on March 26th, 2025.

The incident involved gunfire directed at the parish rectory and the killing of Michael Lagu by a suspected SSPDF soldier. The act was strongly condemned by the Church, the government, and the army during previous discussions.

Among those attending the dialogue are Magwi County Commissioner Lam Francis and Nimule Municipal Council Mayor Ceasar Longa Fuli.

Both leaders commend the Church for facilitating the process, describing it as a strategic effort to rebuild relations between civilians and the military. Commissioner Lam said; “The Church’s intervention comes at the right time. Restoring trust between our people and security forces is key to stability and development.”

Mayor Fuli says peaceful relations between civilians and the military are essential for farming activities, trade, and the safe movement of people in Loa, Nimule, and neighboring areas.

Participants are reviewing progress made since the 2025 dialogue while discussing unresolved concerns affecting the community.

Both civilians and SSPDF representatives pledge to work together to strengthen peace and security in Loa and surrounding areas. The dialogue concludes today, June 9th, with participants committing to implement pending resolutions and maintain regular follow-up discussions to sustain progress toward peaceful coexistence.