Civilian-military dialogue ends with calls for peace, security
February 23, 2023 (OTOGO) – A civilian-military dialogue held in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State concluded Thursday with calls for peace and security.
The dialogue, organised by Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), took place in Otogo payam of Yei River County from February 21-23.
Over 100 people attended the dialogue aimed at building trust and confidence through reconciliation to restore peaceful co-existence, acceptance, tolerance and social cohesion between civilians and the military.
Speaking at the opening of the event, Malish John Scopas, CEPO’s project officer in Yei said the dialogue was platform for mediating issues between civilians and the military.
“The dialogue is a mechanism to identify issues between the military and civilians to find ways of addressing them. It important that the two parties engage in reconciliation in order to find better solutions to existing problems,” he explained.
Malish appealed to the government and stakeholders in the peace process to redouble efforts aimed at ensuring dialogue takes place all levels of the country.
Due to the continued presence of armed rebel groups in the area and its neighbouring counties, the situation in Yei River County changed significantly following the escalation of conflict in 2016. This resulted in significant internal displacement and migration across neighbouring countries like Uganda.
The Commissioner of Yei River County Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa admits that due to the conflict on 2016, civilians and the military have been put onto a collision path.
“This dialogue is intended to bring us together to an understanding as government, military and the community. Dialogue will allow people forgive themselves and opens opportunities for those who fled to return home,” he said.
The official called for a comprehensive awareness programme, citing the need to enlighten citizens on the provisions of the September 2018 peace agreement.
For his part the payam sub-chief, Mario Amule said the improved relationships between the military and civilians has reduced killings and looting of properties.
“The national government should prioritise peace and deliver services like schools, good roads and hospitals to benefit the population in Otogo payam,” he stressed.
The area South Sudanese army (SSPDF) commander called on parties to the peace deal to implement the security arrangements within in the peace accord.
The need to deploy police forces, provision of enough food to soldiers, full implementation of the peace agreement and continuation of the Rome peace talks, among others, were some of the key recommendations from the dialogue.
The Reconciliation, Stabilization, and Resilience in South Sudan (RSRTF) project is designed to help communities in Yei, Lainya, Morobo and Kajo-Keji reconcile and end violence, bring stability where they live, and create new incentives to sustain peaceful coexistence. It led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), CEPO, Support for Peace and Education Development Programme (SPEDP), Finn Church Aid (FCA) and the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI).
(ST)