The head of the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division (CAD) in Western Equatoria met with the top authority of the Government in Yambio to discuss the way forward and how they can support the implementation of the signed peace deal between the Government and South Sudan National Liberation Movement-IO.

Speaking to the media, Svetlana Penchova, Head CAD, said the purpose of meeting the Governor, Major General Patrick Zamoi, was to discuss how the peace agreement could be supported for proper implantation.

In the meeting they discussed reintegration, trauma healing and conflict mitigation for the community leaders and the armed youth.

Ms. Penchova stated that her department conducted a series of workshop for Government Officials, Church leaders and armed youth concerning how they could each engage in dialogue to help bring peace to the state.

The Governor Major General Patrick Raphael Zamoi appreciated the visit of the UNMISS team and also their support towards conflict resolution in greater Western Equatoria. He added that, a team from Juba comprised of the National Director of National Security had visited Yambio last week to see how they can find modalities for the implementation of the peace agreement.

He stated that the South Sudan National Liberation Movement group is categorized into three groups, some are willing to join the APLA, and others are willing the join the organized forces while the rest needs to go back to school or join the vocation training centers to acquire skills on different aspect of technologies.

Zamoi stated that the government is committed to implement the peace agreement and urging the partners to continue their support and engage the traditional leaders and youth in civic education to avoid further conflict in the state.

A team of monitoring implementation of the peace agreement has been formed headed by the Deputy Governor Victor Edwards Kpiawandu, representatives from the security, police and SPLA. The team is mandated to do the necessary arrangement for the cantonment site where the SSNLM forces will be deployed for thorough training before integration.

Yambio County was engulfed by fighting between the armed youth and the SPLA which lead to hundreds dead, thousands are displaced to the neighboring Congo and Uganda, rape and looting but with the signing of the peace agreement, relevant peace is felt in Yambio County and the surrounding areas.