Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 1st Feb. UN Peacebuilding Commission on Tuesday outlined its priorities and recommendations from civil society speakers and UN officials, as the Government of South Sudan first time briefed the UN at the headquarters in New York
Stephen Par Kuol, Minister of Peacebuilding of South Sudan told the Commission, via video link that “Our priority in 2023 is to take a ‘peace to people’ approach with the Government’s facilitation.”
He addressed the ambassadorial-level meeting on building peace in communities through local governance and community reconciliation in South Sudan, efforts included tackling such persistent challenges as intercommunal violence, a major legacy of decades of war.
“This is something we cannot do alone,” he said. “All we need is support from the regions and the international community to build peace in South Sudan with us.”
He stressed on gains in judicial, security and constitutional processes since the parties signed the 2018 peace agreement.
The Government is “working hard to bring back together traditional leadership authorities” to ensure there are no armed groups in South Sudan.
The Commission consulted on ways forward with Chapters I and V of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.
It suggested to improve the resilience of local communities in the face of existing vulnerabilities – including endemic poverty, weak governance, gender-based and sexual violence and poor management of natural resources – which can exacerbate violence and intercommunal conflict.
Civil society speakers briefed the Commission via video link, and presented recommendations to reinforce the path towards sustainable peace.
Youth representative Adeng Leek, a human rights advocate and programme manager with the Nonviolent Peace Force, offered suggestions on how to improve the current fragile situation and pointed out that South Sudan is “no longer an infant” nation.
She said that to overcome such major roadblocks to peace as shrinking civic space, spikes in sexual violence and a massive social disconnection between politicians and people, the Government must demonstrate the necessary political will to resolve concerns and foster accountability.
She said politicians must effectively respond to communities, and local authorities must dedicate themselves to deliver services needed to counter such challenges as climate shocks and establish safe civic space.
If all these are left unconsidered, she warned, local governments will not have the required elements to advance peace.
Edmund Yakani, a civil society representative and Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization said intercommunal violence has branched into alarming human rights violations, including slavery and trafficking.
He stated that dozens of community peace agreements, the road ahead must strengthen the currently weak peace and reconciliation infrastructure, build space for civic dialogue, and ensure transparent peacebuilding funding.
“Such tools can make a difference,” he urged.
Commission Chair Muhammad Abdul Muhith, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh highlighted a new report on its visit to South Sudan.
He said concrete action is needed, including holding elections and achieving the expected 35 per cent threshold of women’s participation.
Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Elizabeth Spehar, added that prioritizing trust-building efforts is essential for creating an enabling environment for peaceful exchanges.
Ahmed Yusuf Hersi, Senior Political Advisor to the Special Envoy for Sudan and South Sudan of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development said the current ceasefire has allowed progress along several tracks, but challenges remain in making the transition to lasting peace.
Sara Beysolow Nyanti, the Deputy Special Representative and the UN Resident Coordinator in South Sudan, said the future hinges on empowering women and youth. Further, she said, there will be no sustainable peace until transitional justice is fully implemented.
