The National Transformational Leadership Institute with support from UNDP-PaCC project successfully conducted a 10-day training for Peace Committees from Jur River County, in Western Bahr Ghazal State. The overall objective of the training was to build skills on Transformational Leadership, Peace Building and Conflict Management. The training took place from 28th June to 7th July 2022 at the State Ministry of Gender, Child & Social Welfare Hall in Wau town. It brought together 24 participants (7Females:17Males) from FBOs, national NGOs, business, youth, women, farmers, traditional leaders, peace commission and local government leaders.
The participants were inspired by the sessions on Transformational Leadership, Conflict mapping and analysis, money matters, saving and investment and requested for support to revive the lulu oil factory in Mapel which would provide employment opportunities and generate income for the community. Root causes of conflict, actors and vulnerable groups most affected in Jur River County were mapped. Specifically, the seasonal migration of cattle from Warrap State to Jur River was underlined as the leading cause of insecurity in the community. There is already a Marial Bai Peace Agreement signed between the two communities to minimize the level of insecurity. However, dissemination and awareness raising is yet to be conducted widely between the two conflicting parties.
Participants requested UNDP to support the County in wider dissemination of the Marial Bai Agreement and extension of similar training to the Payam levels and State Government officials to enable them effectively deliver in their leadership roles. There should be seasonal review of the Marial Bai agreement to ensure that all the signatories abide to the agreement. Additionally, advocacy for enforcement of arm embargoes on South Sudan should be carried out. Guns are circulating among the youth. Comprehensive disarmament across the country is highly recommended otherwise those with guns will attack vulnerable communities without guns