US envoy calls for lasting solution to South Sudan’s conflict
July 28, 2015 (WAU) – The United States envoy to South Sudan, Mary Catherine Phee has urged the warring factions in the nation to commit to an agreement that will end conflict.
“The United States is working very hard to see that the two warring parties in South Sudan’s conflict reach an agreement ahead of the 17 August 2015 deadline given by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the mediators,” she said.
“The American people want to see your suffering in conflict come to an end,” she added.
Several politicians, civil society activists and members of the public attended the event.
Phee said the civic engagement centre will help build capacities of civil society activists in Bahr el Ghazal state, enabling them access information and present views on matters.
“This center will also help you to write a story about the history of your country and allow you to comment on your constitution,” she stressed.
The state minister for gender, child and social welfare, Naima Abbas lauded the United State aid arm (USAID) for supporting the construction of the civic engagement center.
“We the citizens of Western Bahr el Ghazal state are very happy to have successfully constructed an access to information center in Wau. We hope the center will improve people’s English,” she said.
Abbas, however, warned civil society activists not to use the new Wau civic engagement centre as a tool for fighting the government as the consequences would be grave.
Civil society organisations directly support citizens by delivering key social services, advocating for important community issues, and serving as a key link between communities and government. However, many civil society organizations reportedly still lack the resources to maintain permanent office space, access the Internet, or implement long-term programs that will raise community concerns and improve government responsiveness, particularly at the state level.
With USAID’s support, civil society organisations in Western Bahr el Ghazal will have access to free Internet with space to organise coalitions and implement programs that are important to the local community.
The Wau Civic Engagement Center, officials say, will now be able to promote an active civil society community that represents citizen needs and participates in public affairs.
The project is implemented by a consortium that includes Democracy International and the Public International Law and Policy Group. The project is operating a similar civic engagement center in Juba with plans for an additional one in Western Equatorial state.
(ST)