“For South Sudan to build a durable peace, we must equip small business owners with the knowledge and skills they need,” says Andrew Elibe, Relief, Reintegration and Protection Officer, UNMISS.

Andrew and his colleagues from the United Nations Peacekeeping mission in the world’s youngest nation, therefore, organized a four-day training for 40 participants, including local business people, religious groups and government officials in Wunrok payam (administrative division) located in the Twic county in Warrap.

Given its proximity to the Luol river, fishing, breeding livestock and agriculture are top livelihood activities here. Hence, the training programme aimed at handing down much-needed basic skills in management, accountability and leadership to traders at the local market and enable them to start effective market management and water management committees. The objective: To make sure all traders receive a fair price for fresh produce and mitigate any possibility of conflict among individual sellers.

“I found the training to be most beneficial,” says Maror Ayuel, a local trader. “Previously, many of us who sell fish or vegetables in the market would indulge in petty disputes since all of us are dependent on what we earn every day to meet our basic needs,” he continues. “However, this workshop has taught us that if we are organized and planned, there is no need to get into turf wars at the market. We can make money and supply neighbouring payams with our wares.”

Encouraging entrepreneurship and business expansion were also two key themes that the course touched upon.

“Attending this forum has given me a lot of ideas about how I can grow my business sustainably,” reveals Asunta Apadic, a participant. “I am confident that with the skills I have acquired in the past four days I will be able to have a flourishing trade and generate an adequate income.”

For his part, Andrew believes that the key takeaway for most participants is simple: they have discovered that joining together as a community is the road to future prosperity. “As facilitators, our goal was to bring together young traders, women who are often primary breadwinners in this area and local authorities together so that we could demonstrate the power of peaceful coexistence over conflict. When the trading community is skilled enough to properly plan and organize their livelihood activities, they will usher in development.”

The fish and vegetable market in Wunrok was constructed as part of the UNMISS Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) programme to build community resilience and address urgent public needs for food and necessary supplies. This workshop is a follow-up effort in strengthening community ties and creating conducive conditions for voluntary returns.