By Alan Clement
Governors Louis Lobong Lojore, Eastern Equatoria State (EES) in South Sudan and Jeremiah Lomorukai, Turkana County in Kenya, celebrated the first anniversary of the peace accord between the Toposa of South Sudan and the Turkana of Kenya.
The event held in Nadapal on July 26th, 2025, was a celebration of regional unity and reconciliation following the signing of the cross-border peace agreement between the two pastoralist communities in 2024.
“This peace is not just a celebration it is a living commitment,” said Governor Lobong. “We must abandon politics of revenge and the culture of violence. He pointed out that, “there is no honor in conflict. The future belongs to builders, not destroyers.”
Governor Lobong reaffirmed Eastern Equatoria’s support for peace initiatives, and called on stakeholders to deepen trust and unity between the two communities.
These sentiments were echoed by governor Lomorukai who emphasized the importance of sustained collaboration between communities. “We have committed time and resources to peacebuilding because our borders are volatile,” Lomorukai said during the celebrations.
He added that the celebration is a testament of what can be achieved when communities choose dialogues over conflicts.
Lomorukai urged regional governments to invest in shared infrastructure to sustain the peace. “We must build roads, schools, and health centers that serve both communities. Development is the strongest antidote to conflict,” he said.
The governors jointly declared their commitment to peaceful coexistence and mutual progress during the Nadapal gathering. As the region moves forward, the Toposa and Turkana peoples stand as a powerful example of how dialogue can heal historical divisions and foster a more prosperous future.