Political parties are expected to play a vital role in creating sustainable peace in post-conflict societies, an UNMISS official said in the Western Bahr El-Ghazal State capital Wau today.

UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer Victor Fasama was speaking at a workshop to sensitize state political parties on conflict transformation, a process to transform conflicts into peaceful outcomes.

Some 50 members of various political parties who attended the workshop discussed their potential in creating necessary conditions for durable peace as it transforms perceptions, relationships and social structures.

Mr. Fasama said the workshop was significant because it exposed participants to ideas of conflict transformation and how they could use the concept to promote peace in the state.

“To achieve durable peace, conflict transformation is an effective instrument,” he said.

The UNMISS official also hoped the workshop would help increase engagement of political parties in conflict management, as well as deepen their knowledge of conflict mitigation.

The UNMISS Public Information Office also used the opportunity to explain the role of UNMISS to increase participants’ awareness and understanding of the mission.