Pact Sudan urged to support NGOs, monitor CPA implementation
September 22, 2010 (JUBA) — A senior official in the southern Sudan government has lauded the joint partnership between Pact Sudan and the newly-created Ministry of Peace and Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) Implementation, describing it as a ‘milestone’ in maintenance of peace, harmony and peaceful co-existence among Southern Sudanese communities.
Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Minister, James Kok Ruei, the founder and former Chairperson of Southern Sudan Peace Commission (SSPC), now peace ministry, made these remarks during yesterday opening of a two-day South Sudan Peace Fund (SSPF) review conference organized by Pact Sudan in the Juba-based Beijing hotel.
While giving a historical synopsis of SSPC, the Minister said the commission, which started in 2001 as an Upper Nile peace and reconciliation integration office, later transformed into Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) peace desk and Sudan Peace Commission in 2004, fully gained its status in June 2007.
Kok said the government fully supports SSPF; a Pact Sudan-managed initiative started in March 2009 and will run till February 2012, aimed at providing financial and technical assistance to peace-building partners in Southern Sudan. The fund is a result of contributions from the British Department for International Development (DFID), Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA).
So far, 16 peace-related activities have been accomplished under the joint MPCPAI-Pact Sudan partnership, in the form of conferences and peace-building trainings. Others include research and dynamics of conflict mapping done last year, the 2010 peace review committee, all funded to a tune of SDG 751,600 ($300,600).
Reacting to this partnership, the Minister said, “The joint collaboration between Pact Sudan and the Ministry of Peace and CPA Implementation has had positive impact and improved the security, harmony and peaceful co-existence among our communities.”
“This kind of partnership should involve other indigenous organizations because attaining peace is not a one day, week or monthly job. It’s a continuous effort that requires changing the culture of war into culture of peace,” he added.
The Minister urged Pact Sudan to continue playing a role in monitoring the CPA Implementation by supporting indigenous NGOs though building their capacities and assessing their grass root activities.
“Build the capacity of local people though supporting indigenous NGOs so that they can become agents and ambassadors of peace. Also though supporting NGOs, Pact Sudan will be able to get regular updates in the happenings on the referendum process,” Kok said.
Judy McCallum, Pact Sudan’s Country Representative told Sudan Tribune in a separate interview that the organization remains committed towards working with government, especially on peace-building at grassroots, support on the CPA implementation, conflict assessment, providing support to activities that promote dialogue among communities as well as natural resources management.
Over the past decade or so, McCallum noted, Pact Sudan has worked closely with the southern government, having played a vital role in developing the SSPC strategic plan in 2007.
Meanwhile, the peace fund, which strives to foster a peaceful and secure environment for recovery and sustainable development in Sudan after over two-decades of civil war, has benefited 64 different peace partners, 54 community-based organizations, 5 indigenous non-governmental organizations and 5 government institutions. To-date, a total of SDG 12,900,000 ($4,800,000) has so far been awarded.
(ST)