S. Sudan cabinet approves launching of national reconciliation

January 12, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s cabinet has approved the launch of a national reconciliation and healing process due in April this year, to try and reconcile the past and present conflicts dividing the communities in the new Republic.

South Sudan council of ministers, on Friday, deliberated on a memo about national reconciliation, presented before them by the Vice President, Riek Machar Teny, assisted by the Presidential Advisor on Decentralization and Intergovernmental linkages, Tor Deng Mawien.

In a statement on the state-owned South Sudan Television (SSTV), Information Minister, Barnaba Marial Benjamin said it was an important step, adding that the young nation needed to embark on the journey of healing.

All conflict areas in South Sudan, Marial added, will be be mapped out and that the process will involve the entire nation, from the state to county levels.

All government organs, according to the minister, will be involved on the reconciliation process, with the role of civil society organisations seen as vital in this nationally-driven healing initiative.

About SSP 8 million, Marial added, has been earmarked for this national project to be will be managed under the Office of the President.

South Sudan President, Salva Kiir Mayardit is set to launch the process in a conference in April this year, and the event will be followed by peace and reconciliation campaigns in all the ten states of the country.

Meanwhile, many high profile personalities from Africa, Europe and Australia have been invited to deliver speeches on the reconciliation process at the conference.

South Sudan has been rocked by inter and intra community violence in the past and such conflicts are still lingering at present among the communities, prompting the government to resolve them after the independence was attained so that the nation can move forward in peace and unity.

(ST)