Civil-military dialogue calls for improved relations in Lainya
May 1, 2023 (LAINYA) – A civil-military relations dialogue held in Lainya County of Central Equatoria State concluded on Friday with calls for enhancement in relations for peaceful co-existence at community levels.
The three-day reconciliatory community-level dialogue, organized by Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO), attracted over 50 people, including chiefs, civil society, army (SSPDF), religious leaders and eminent personalities to discuss ways of rebuilding the fractured social cohesion and restoring trust between the civilians and military personnel.
Malish John Scopas, CEPO’s project manager for Greater Yei said the dialogue aimed at building trust and confidence through reconciliation to restore peaceful co-existence, acceptance, tolerance and social cohesion between the civilians and the ground forces in Loka West Boma.
“The dialogue facilitation was centered on mediation approach where civilians and the military identified issues that affect their relations,” he said.
Lack of mutual respect between civilians and military personnel, lootings, harassment, killings and road blocks were identified as some of the issues affecting peaceful co-existence among civilians and the army in Lainya.
The deputy commander of the SSPDF ground forces, Col. John Malou described relations between the military and civilians as “peaceful” one.
“Our relationship with civilians is good. We have been communicating and coordinating things together. It means we are in peace with one another and our demand is the implementation of the peace agreement,” he said.
The military officer urged soldiers to respect and protect civilians in the area.
Early sharing of information between civilians and the military, reduction in number of checkpoints to allow free movement of civilians, regulation of drug consumption among soldiers as well as calls continuous civil-military dialogues were some of the key resolutions at conclusion of the dialogue.
In 2016, clashes between SPLA-IO and government forces, coupled by the current National Salvation Front (NAS) insurgency and worsened by attacks from Dinka Bor and Mundari cattle keepers have destroyed livelihoods.
This led the displacement of civilians in Loka west Boma to Lainya center and to refugee camps in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with support from the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the Reconciliation, Stabilization and Resilience Trust Fund (RSRTF) project is designed to help communities in Yei, Lainya, Morobo and Kajo-Keji counties reconcile and end violence, bring stability where they live and create new incentives for peaceful coexistence.
(ST)