South Sudan youth embrace peace to end Abyei-Twic conflict
August 19, 2024 (TURALE) – South Sudan youth and civil society organizations in collaboration with faith-based groups in Warrap state embarked on peacebuilding and conflict transformation initiatives, raising hopes for sustainable security and social cohesion in a region devastated by conflicts.
The youth group, brought together by Concordis International, pledged to work together with all the stakeholders to find realistic, mutually acceptable solutions that address the root causes of conflict and contribute to lasting peace and economic development.
A total of 26 participants attended the training held in Turalei, the administrative headquarters of Twic county in Warrap state from 13-16 August 2024.
Stephen Mayuen Mou, head of the Concordis for South Sudan and Sudan, told participants that the organization was committed to finding sustainable solutions that benefit all those involved, including women, youth, men, local administrative authorities, community leaders and civil society.
“We are peacebuilders and so we engage different groups and leaders to build trust and confidence for sustainable relationships, and leaving a legacy that enables future conflict to be managed peacefully within the community,” Mou said.
He added, “These are values, driven and guided by humility, impartiality and inclusivity”.
The aim of the training was to train youth leaders, civil society leaders, partners, and local authorities on conflict transformation and resolutions, equip them with knowledge and skills of conflict resolutions and transformation as well as strategies to foster and enhance network in their efforts to strengthen social cohesion.
Ever since Concordis International embarked on peacebuilding engagement efforts and training, it has engaged people in activities that addressed the peaceful management and resolution of conflicts.
The organizers and facilitators are people known for working with community members to develop and strengthen social cohesion visions that identify sources of conflict and potential responses.
The engagement efforts also began forming a network of mediators that will serve as a resource that local authorities can call upon to facilitate peaceful conflict resolution.
These leaders have carried out coordination meetings related to preventing, managing, and resolving conflict within the community of Twic in Warrap, Abyei, Ruweng, Unity and civil society representatives.
In collaboration with the local authorities, Concordis implemented a campaign to prevent stigma towards internally displaced persons since the conflict erupted in 2022 between Twic and Ngok.
Concordis believes sustained peace is built upon long term efforts to avoid the escalation of grievances and focuses on increasing understanding of prevention as an alternative paradigm to reactive behaviors.
South Sudan has several active and protracted conflicts on its soil, which deprive generations of young people of the opportunities for a better future. No lasting peace agreement can be reached without the positive involvement of the youth, yet the potential and contribution of young people to effective conflict regulation and peacebuilding has received little attention and support.
Often simplistically stereotyped as villains or victims, their true potential as agents of peace is largely unused. Lack of sufficient support also affects how many young people are engaged in direct peace-making, peacekeeping, or peacebuilding activities.
It is widely believed that peace talks rarely focus on how to engage youth into productive processes.
Many youth initiatives operate at grassroots levels. However, young people face multiple barriers when trying to reach out and impact policies: lack of recognition and meaningful inclusion, limited funding, and shrinking civic space are all hindrances.
(ST)