Salaam Junub organized the TTT program in Terekeka on the 3rd June 2021 with support from UNDP and her partner KOICA to nurture the spirit of tolerance and an understanding of the importance of peaceful coexistence, provide avenues for discussing matters affecting local community and finding local solutions to them and empower the youth and community members with the knowledge and skills of dialogue without resorting to violence however sensitive a topic of discussion may be. Here were 400 youth, women and men. The TTT participants were divided in to 19 groups of over 15 people (men, women, and students mixed together). After an hour-long deliberation among the groups, a representative from each group summarized to whole gathering the issues they have identified, and the solutions they have suggested.
Clement Kenyi Elioba who represented group one pointed that most of the issues arise during dowry because the youth have taken over dowry price fixing and negotiations. He said they claim since it is their sisters being married of; they must determine the price as they’ll use the same money or heads of cattle for marrying their own wives. Mr. Kenyi also blame parents for depending on their daughters for attaining wealth instead of working hard to raise and educate their children -especially the girls who would become responsible and resourceful community members in Terekeka. Elioba also said young men should bot fear to approach their bride’s parents and present whatever little they can offer in order to ask his lovers’ hand in marriage – adding that marriage demands can be negotiated and paid in instalments so as to reduce the unnecessary pressure on the bridegroom’s side. He urged parents not to overcharge dowry price to avoid causing problems in the young family.
Okwiri Zacharia of group two identifies the high dollar exchange rate against the South Sudanese Pounds. He said the problem is that even dowry price is fixed according to the black-market exchange rate. He said his group suggest reduction in dollar exchange rate and the government should ban payments of salaries in dollars and create more employment opportunities for the youth in the county.
Zacharia Ladu of group 15 suggested that the high dowry price issue should be tabled in the parliament so that is it enacted in to law. He said much of the problem is people not respecting rules and regulations set by chiefs and community leaders.
Rammadan Juma Konga blames the high dowry pricing and the resultant violence on the armed forces not receiving salaries for many months. He revealed the lack of money forces the armed personnel to hire their fire arms to civilians in order to earn some money, And the forearms are used for cattle raiding by youth for marriage and wealth creation.
Paul Pape of group 12 mentioned forcing girls to marrying wealthy elderly men instead of their young lovers prompting cattle raiding tendencies among the youth. He said a young man will be left with no choice but to resort to violence and raiding cattle for covering up the huge demands after the girls they love. Mr. Paul urged parents to support their sons who want to marry. He recommends continuous awareness creation through the TTT programs and massive education programs in Terekeka and the neighboring counties. He also called for training programs to be conducted for community chief in order to equip them with innovative and effective leadership skills for dealing with marriage issues and violence among the communities.
Susan Kaku Paul of group 13 blames the high dowry price charges on selfishness and gluttony on men. She said the high dowry price imposed after daughters’ amounts to abuse of women’s rights. She said women are looked down upon and their decisions are not often considered during negotiations. She called for gender balance among the community – adding that more women should be selected for leadership roles so that their voices are also heard.
Clement Kenyi Elioba on behalf of teachers stated that the problem of high dowry price and violence in Terekeka lies in the lack of robust education programs in Terekeka County. He complained of even educated and married men eying his school girls for marriage instead of encouraging them to continue with studies until they attain their degrees and diplomas or at least secondary school leaving certificate so that they get proper employment and earn their dignity. In order to stop violence stemming from high dowry price payments, let parents accept payment of bride price in instalments and let the girls go the men of their choice.
In his speech, the youth leader of Terekeka County, Mr. Emmanuel Loku thanks Salaam Junub and UNDP for TTT initiative. He agrees to the fact of connection between high bride price and violence in Terekeka, Yirol, Mvolo. He suggested that marriage procedures should be done as in the times of the fore fathers. Mr. Loku suggested dowry demand should be between 12 and 15 heads of cattle. He said the chiefs should come up with by-laws to control unnecessary issues erupting during marriage. The youth leader further laments the fact of the lack of development in Terekeka County due to violence. “Terekeka does not develop because we are busy killing each other and raiding cattle.” He called on his fellow youth to concentrate on livelihood activities and desist from negative social activities that against social development.
The women leader of Terekeka Ms. Joyce Jeremiah Logumba professed her happiness for the TTT Dialogue Forum. She said it is the first time that such a gathering where people seat together in numbers and discuss issues that affect Terekeka and the neighbouring community in an organised and peaceful way. However, she stressed that the women should be put in the centre of all programs of peace and development. Ms. Joyce complained of the fact that women are often side-lined during settling dowry demands. She blames all violence during marriage on men. She urged men to involve women on bride price payment negotiations because their voice matter a lot since they are the mothers of the children. “Without women, nothing will ever go smoothly in the family,” she stressed. Ms. Logumba advised girls to introduce their boyfriends to their parents so that other issues arising during dowry payment can be avoided.
The rests of the representatives of the other groups presented similar sentiments although with varying gravity and contents. The most common consensus is that the number of heads of cattle and goats for marriage should be reduced, and people to turn to old marriage customs practiced by the forefathers in Terekeka County. The importance of education and discipline, peaceful coexistence and harmony, and development for prosperity and reducing violence are also the most common points raised in the forum.
The paramount chief of Terekeka County, on behalf of all of community chiefs in Terekeka on his part applauded the Salaam Junub for coming up with the TTT program. He appreciates how the TTT Forum has been conducted in the fact that the youth, women, men and elders are mixed to discuss concerning the community in Terekeka. He said the issues of violence resulting from high bride price payment indeed is a burning issue in Terekeka. He narrated to the gathering about how marriages were conducted in Terekeka when he was young. The Chief went on to declare that the minimum numbers of heads of cattle to be paid as dowry is 25, and that the maximum is 30 heads of cattle. He asked the gathering if they agreed to the number and they unanimously agreed (all of the women present and majority of the men/elders) to the number. Most of the participants however had earlier on recommended from 12 to 15 cows, and 15 to 24 goats. But with the paramount chiefs ruling – pending further deliberation from the other community leaders and the local court, the crowds were happy for his bold and quick decision. The chief cautioned those who will not obey the final decision of the leaders will be punished according to the by-laws set. “Any parent who forces their daughter in to marriage will be dealt with accordingly. But as for, I could let my daughter marry the man of her choice for as low 15 heads cattle,” said the chief – drawing round of applause from the crowd. He then closed the days’ TTT Forum and asked Salaam Junub to organize frequent forums and follow up with the local authorities so that all that have been discussed should not be left in limbo, but are actualized. Similar event for tackling marriage issues and violence in Terekeka had been organized by other NGOs, but no fruit came from it. “I hereby urge Salaam Junub as a grass root organization with support from its partner UNDP to step up this effort and develop more other robust programs for settling all of the problems that afflict Terekeka County,” he said in his closing remark.