28 November 2013 - Focusing on instability and ways forward for development in parts of Jonglei State, a two-day forum for state assembly members concluded today in the capital Bor.

The activity, held at the South Sudan Hotel, aimed to generate ideas from the local level for humanitarian programming, service delivery, long-term development and wider advocacy at national, regional and international levels.

Also attending the forum, which was organized and funded by OXFAM, were members of civil society, community based organizations, local government and women’s associations.

During the discussions, Goi Jooyul, Director of South Sudan Center for Strategic and Policy Studies and former Commissioner of Akobo County noted that members of state parliament had a mandate to ensure their citizens had jobs, food, health and long-term welfare for future generation.

“The legislative assembly has a considerable responsibility in ensuring that legislation and funding are put in place to foster economic development and investment,” he said. “As members of parliament, they can play a bright role in the overall peace and stability of the state.”

Topics included governance and constituency security, current challenges and opportunities in Jonglei, the legislative assembly’s role in development and stability, linking constituency to labor and investment opportunities, and mapping key humanitarian needs.

Participants found that major sources of conflict were woman and child abduction, cattle raiding, land disputes, lack of infrastructure, competition over resources, economic imbalance, insufficient civilian disarmament, poverty, youth unemployment and lack of security personnel on the ground.

They vowed to work closely with constituencies to solve existing problems and find lasting solutions for youth unemployment, cattle raiding and insecurity.

Anita Mongane, UNMISS Civilian Protection Advisor, briefed participants on the mission’s role and mandate related to civilian protection as well as parliament’s responsibility in that area.

She said UNMISS was working to implement its protection of civilians strategy through political processes, including advocacy and dialogue with the government, support for state and local peace actors and liaison with communities for conflict prevention and mitigation.

Ms. Mongane stressed that protection of civilians was the primary responsibility of the government and UNMISS was in the country to support that role.

She said legislatures had vital responsibilities, which included engaging with communities on protection, using public education and awareness raising tools to help prevent and end violence, denouncing acts of violence against women and children, fighting impunity, providing early warning information and following up on response.