John Malith Mabor, 41, winner of the International PAX Dove 2023 speaking to Eye Radio in Juba on Monday, 25th Sept 2023. (Photo: Charles Wote/Eye Radio).

A South Sudanese winner of the Dutch Peace Dove 2023 for his work to make peace between pastoral communities in Panyijiar of Unity State and Yirol of Lakes State, says he is grateful for the international recognition.

On September 21, PAX, the largest peace organization in the Netherlands, named peace-building worker John Malith Mabor,  among four others, for reconciling the communities five years ago.

The neighboring communities were, until 2018, embroiled in conflicts, and distrust for almost half a decade, mainly over water sources and grazing areas resulting in cattle raiding and revenge killings.

This had hindered cross-border movement, trade and humanitarian access for five years.

“The award has been granted to him for showing extraordinary courage when he, as a Dinka young man from Yirol, traveled across the border into to the Nuer of Panyijiar, at a time when these communities were embroiled in conflict, hostility and distrust for many years, following the outbreak of war in the country in 2013,” said PAX Director Rolien Sasse in a statement published on the organization’s website.

Ms. Sasse, people should not forget stories of hope, and they should bring about change on a large and small scale.

Reacting to the award, John Malith said he is excited to receive the international recognition for mediating peace to the communities.

“I was really very excited to receive the news that I was chosen the winner for the peace dove award something that PAX used to give to people who contribute in a special way in term of peace building and community work,” Malith said.

“I was so much excited to receive the news that I am the winner, so I am much grateful to the jury who decided that I am the winner on the basis of what I have done in South Sudan.”

PAX annually identifies, and with its jury, carefully selects distinguished individuals or organizations working for peacebuilding or for human rights.

For his effort to reconcile and bring peace among the two communities, Malith, 41, was made as a local peace ambassador.

From that time onwards, he had travelled between the two communities to verify the main issues that needed to be addressed in any future peace agreement.

When he first visited Panyijiar, Malith said he was confronted with fear and doubts.

But his brave efforts eventually culminated into a series of inter-ethnic and multi-sectoral engagements leading to lasting stability and free movement of people between Yirol and Panyijiar.

“When I was introducing myself as John Malith from Yirol, that thing alone was like a death sentence and all eyes were on me and I remember even when the Commissioner was speaking, they didn’t put attention anymore they were only watching at me,” Malith recalls his remarks in a tense peace dialogue in Panyijiar in 2017.

“So, what I did, I console myself and said after all I am already in the hall, and I need to remain courageous and try to present why I am here.”

“I told them I am here as a peace worker, working for peacebuilding organization, I am not coming here to cause harm, I am not having any weapon with me, I don’t have I am only coming with a notebook and pen.”

– Malith, the peace maker –

John Malith hails from the remote village of Aluakluak in Yirol of Lakes State.

He said his work with PAX under the human security survey project in partnership with Assistance Mission for Africa exposed him to various streams of ideological concepts around conflict, its drivers and possible solutions.

“In fact, this award mean, it is good to work for a peacebuilding and of course if some grievances happen between individuals or between clans or communities or parties for example, then I think the only solution is to sit down and resolve those issues amicably.” Malith stressed.

Growing up as the first born among the six other siblings, Malith said this has made him a symbol of responsibility in the family.

Malith’s father took him to one of the primary schools at an early age – a move contrary to the customs and cultural practices of the local communities, which dictate that a child must first spend time at cattle camps, before starting school.

He later dropped out of school and went to the cattle camp, where they were taught how to milk the cattle and protect their cattle.

During his childhood, Malith observed and detested the historical enmity between communities, but he had hoped that the 2011 referendum would bring lasting peace to the young nation.

However, when conflict erupted in 2013 and again in 2016, it escalated into the grassroots fueling ethnic divides, revenge attacks, displacement of civilians, economic crisis and rearmament of civilians.

“Everything changed, neighbors became sworn enemies overnight. There was proliferation of firearms in the hands of civilians, communities were displaced,” He said.

According to Malith, his effort to reconcile the two communities has made him realise that peace is not an event, instead it is a process which involves several steps.

He adds that resilience, persistence and courage combined with honesty is vital to achieve peace dialogue.

Malith further called on South Sudanese at their different capacities to contribute towards reconciling and bringing peace among the local population.

“People should have the heart of reconciling their communities in their hearts, reconciling the families, reconciling individuals.”

“If South Sudanese begin to have this thing in their mind, starting from your own house, from your family level, from community level, then we shall have a very peaceful country in which we can be able to progress and develop.”

“Because there is nothing that can take us ahead unless we embrace peaceful coexistence, acknowledging each other’s right and live together.”

Other winners of the Peace Doves  include Bureau Burgerberaad, Human rights advocate Mpanzu Bamenga, Creation activist’ Rozemarijn van ‘t Einde and Sahar Shirzad, co-founder of the collective Azadi.

PAX could not specify details of the prize but said winners were to receive the award during the PAX 75th Anniversary Event at the Domkerk on September 21.