South Sudan has launched two major peacebuilding projects funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA. The initiatives aim to reduce violence, empower communities, particularly youth and women, and foster resilience. Key leaders emphasized the importance of community involvement and collaboration to achieve sustainable peace and address conflict drivers.
The Government of South Sudan, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, has inaugurated two significant peacebuilding projects aimed at reducing community violence and fostering resilience in areas affected by conflict. Funded by the UN Peacebuilding Fund and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), these initiatives are designed to empower local communities, particularly youth and women, in peace efforts.
At the launch held in Juba, Minister of Peacebuilding, Stephen Par Kuol, underscored the importance of community-focused strategies for achieving lasting peace. He expressed, “This project is very important and timely because it is community-centered. We must go beyond violence reduction and aim to end community violence entirely. Our role as leaders is to ensure that our communities are safe and secure.”
The first project, “Community Violence Reduction Partnerships with White Nile and Sobat River Communities,” is allocated USD 4 million and will span 36 months. Its objectives include curtailing insecurity along the White Nile and Sobat River corridor, facilitating the reintegration of conflict-affected youth, and promoting social cohesion through psychosocial support and trauma healing.
The second initiative, titled “Peacebuilding and Preventing Violent Extremism in East Africa,” has a budget of USD 4.8 million and encompasses South Sudan, Kenya, and Somalia. This project aims to enhance community resilience, especially among youth and women, and will be implemented in Eastern Equatoria, Warrap State, and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
Mohamed Abchir, UNDP South Sudan Resident Representative, emphasized the necessity of joint efforts to combat the root causes of violence. He noted, “These projects reaffirm our collective commitment to addressing the root causes of violence, promoting reconciliation, and ensuring that communities—particularly youth, ex-combatants, and women—have the tools they need to build a peaceful future.”
Abchir also remarked that these projects would promote democratic participation by enabling conditions for peaceful electoral processes and bolstering conflict prevention mechanisms. He extended gratitude to the Peacebuilding Fund and KOICA for their steadfast support. He stated, “We want to thank all our donors and partners for their continued commitment to peace in South Sudan. These projects belong to the people of South Sudan, and we must all work together to make them successful.”
Pia Philip, undersecretary at the peacebuilding ministry, emphasized community involvement, explaining that the project aims to enhance resilience among youth, women, and organized forces while addressing challenges posed by checkpoints along the rivers. He stated, “Today marks an important step toward achieving sustainable peace through community engagement.”
Moreover, the initiatives will combat violent extremism through promoting peace education, countering hate speech, and supporting economic empowerment for youth and women. They aim to address conflict drivers with innovative approaches and improved tools for violence management, while youth and women will receive skills training to foster resilience.
The Ministry of Peacebuilding reaffirmed its dedication to collaborating with civil society organizations and local communities to ensure effective project execution. Minister Par asserted, “Juba is not South Sudan. South Sudan is out there, where our people are. We must work with traditional leadership, youth, and women to achieve the objectives of this project.”
These initiatives aim to create socio-economic opportunities, provide trauma healing, and support reconciliation, aiding communities in achieving greater self-reliance and resilience. Their launch coincides with a critical period for South Sudan, which continues to confront issues of community violence and instability.
The launch of these two peacebuilding projects in South Sudan represents a significant commitment to fostering community resilience and reducing violence. With an emphasis on empowering local populations, especially youth and women, the initiatives aim to tackle the underlying causes of conflict. Community engagement and collaboration with civil society are critical in ensuring the success of these efforts in achieving sustainable peace in South Sudan.
Original Source: www.radiotamazuj.org
