South Sudan launches training for 200 peace mobilisers
April 8, 2013 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s government on Monday launched the training of hundreds of peace mobilisers who will serve as ambassadors in the ten states on the national reconciliation program which the new nation has embarked on in order to unite its divided communities and correct shortfalls in the system.
Addressing the peace mobilisers during the official launch of the training, Vice-president Riek Machar urged the two hundred, mostly youth participants, from the various states and ethnic groups, to first reconcile with the environment and among themselves as room-mates for the first time where they are accommodated.
He reiterated the importance of the process of national reconciliation so as to unite the communities in the country and peacefully move the country forward in its development program.
Machar explained to the participants that the process was not a new idea because it was provided for in the 2005 comprehensive peace agreement (CPA) signed between the regions of former Sudan represented by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the South and National Congress Party (NCP) in the North.
He however said the reconciliation process was perceived to be between the two regions and that Khartoum was reluctant to carry out the process during the six-year interim period that led to the independence of South Sudan in July 2011.
Machar also quoted President Salva Kiir Mayardit of South Sudan in his recent quest for peace and harmony among the people of South Sudan.
“Let us heal our wounds. Let us preach harmony and peaceful co-existence. Let us forgive one another”, Machar quoted Kiir’s remarks which were posted on a banner.
He further explained that the national reconciliation process will involve government structures and other sectors of society at all levels of governance.
More consultations will be conducted with all the stakeholders in order to come up with a comprehensive strategy on this important program which he said may go on for the next five to ten years.
Machar added that three more batches of 600 in total will also be trained in the near future after the deployment of the first graduated batch back to the ten states and current 79 counties.
(ST)