Local peace dialogue initiatives have proven to have encouraging results and are important to reconcile communities and foster peaceful coexistence. That was a key message at such a peace forum organized by the UNMISS Civil Affairs Division in Bentiu.

The forum brought together more than 400 people, including local government authorities, traditional leaders, youth and women representatives, representatives from faith-based organisations and community leaders from Rubkona and Bentiu towns.

Ms. Anastasie Nyirigira, an UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, said that similar previous efforts have had encouraging results, showing that it is possible to restore broken relationships through dialogue. This, she stated, is the right time for communities and groups at various levels to discuss challenges and agree on how to move forward.

She said the peace forum is among many initiatives organized previously between communities living in the Protection of Civilian (PoC) site and with those of outside had encouraging positive results in restoring relationships.

“By organizing dialogues, the population of the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site can move out and visit the people on the outside.  Before these encounters between the youth of Rubkona and Bentiu and those in the PoC site, they could not talk to each other. Now, even if there are challenges, they can”, Ms. Nyirigira observed.

The peace forum took place at the same stadium where, a few years back, people were joyful and celebrating the independence of South Sudan. Recognizing that the current conflict has affected everyone, urged participants to communicate more with each other to iron out differences and strengthen unity.

 “It is true that all of us have been affected in one way or another”, Ms. Nyirigira said, adding:

 “We lost relatives, we have been displaced, our properties have been destroyed – but we can never remain trapped in the past. This is the right time to pick up the pieces and to build our nation”.

The Deputy Governor in Bentiu, John Juor Yoach, outlined plans for more state-initiated reconciliation events in various counties. He pointed out, however, that cattle raids by armed youth continue to be a source of insecurity.

Topics covered during the forum included discussions on intercommunal reconciliation as a Christian duty and responsibility, dialogue and mediation as means of addressing conflicts and participants suggesting measures to be taken to promote peaceful coexistence between communities.