Traditional chiefs and intellectuals from Twic and Ngok communities attend the Wau-based peace dialogue. | Photo: Courtesy.

The peace dialogue in Wau between Ngok and Twic communities ended without a breakthrough as participants disagreed during a debate over the establishment of buffer zone between the two regions.

The conference was facilitated in an attempt to resolve recurrent violent conflict between the neighboring communities.

The talks centered on four points including the cessation of hostilities, the free movement of people, the withdrawal of armed youth allied to warring parties from neighboring communities, and the creation of a buffer zone.

However, traditional leaders from both sides could not agree on the definition and terms of the buffer zone outlined in the communique on Thursday.

Chol Arithuk Akuei, the adviser of peace and reconciliation in the Abyei Administrative Area said although the talks ended without little consensus, there is a possibility of their return to the negotiating table in the future.

“The communique is a continuation of finding a solution to the problem between Ngok and Twic; one is the cessations of hostilities, the free movement of people, the withdrawal of armed youth from neighboring communities,” he said.

“The Ngok rejected that proposal by saying Abyei box in under UN forces mandate which will open the door for Sudan to remove its to force too.”

“This is where the differences happened, and they refused to sign the communique but agree on 90 percent of the communique.”

The peace conference between the Ngok Dinka of Abyei and Twic Mayardit of Warrap State started on Monday in the Western Bahr el Ghazal State Wau.

During his visit to Warrap last month, President Kiir called on the two communities to engage in dialogue to solve their problems.