UNMISS commenced a three-day workshop on civil-military relations and community policing on Tuesday. The workshop aims to restore trust and mutual understanding between civilian communities and organized forces in Torit town, the capital of Imotong State. 98 civilians representing 36 ethnic groups residing in Torit, including 32 women, attended the opening ceremony.

“The reason you are here is because you are the community, comprised of diverse ethnic groups, to identify and communicate the problems you face and work towards solutions. We are all entitled to peace, but you are not only here to attend the workshop. You are here to take action towards peace,” Joseph Oswaha, the Chairperson of the Imotong State Peace Commission, said in his opening remarks.

The newly formed Inter-Religious Council, which UNMISS facilitated, highlighted discussions from the Torit Open Peace Forum that took place earlier this year in March, delving into the sources of ongoing insecurity and resolutions that came out of the March Peace Forum.

Francis Diu, Civil Affairs Officer at UNMISS, emphasized the need to foster relationships between civilian and military actors to tackle insecurity: “If you feel safe, then I also feel safe. And safety is really what everyone is after.”

The State Peace Commission urged participants to commit to concrete actions towards reconciliation and reversal of negative sentiments towards organized forces.

The workshop continues until Thursday with representatives of organized forces such as SPLA, military intelligence, NSA, SSNPS, Traffic Police, CID, Wildlife, Fire Brigade, Prison Service, Immigration and Professional Standards. There will be joint discussions between civilians and organized forces on actionable ways forward to overcome mistrust, improve their relationship, and bring peace and security to Imotong State.