UNMISS Civil Affairs Division SUMMARY ACTION REPORT

Transcription

1 UNMISS Civil Affairs Division SUMMARY ACTION REPORT REPORTING PERIOD AUGUST CULTURAL FORUM TO PROMOTE SOCIAL COHESION AMONG YOUTH ACROSS WAU STATE Wau town, Wau State, 18 August Context: The national crises of 2013 and 2016 resulted in the displacement of thousands of community members from Wau State to the Protection of Civilians (PoC) site and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) collection sites in Wau. The trust deficit between IDPs living in the PoC site and the host community in Wau town continues to affect intercommunal relations, especially among the youth. The state government has consistently expressed its intention to restore peace in Wau town and undertook various actions to build the confidence and trust of the communities. With a relative improvement in security in Wau town, many IDPs have returned to their homes from the PoC site, but deep-rooted mistrust is affecting social cohesion and peaceful coexistence between returnees and communities in return areas. Action: UNMISS and the Wau State Youth Association jointly organized a youth cultural forum for 400 participants (150 women), including youth from the PoC site, IDPs collective centres and residents of Wau town. Government authorities, CSOs and NGOs representatives also attended the forum. The forum provided a platform for interaction and exchange of thoughts and Singing presentation during cultural forum in Wau town. THIS MONTH'S ACTIONS 2 Conflict Management Trainings 2 Conferences 2 Peace Campaigns 1 Dialogue 1 Cultural Forum 1,119 Persons Directly Reached

2 assisted in building social cohesion and rebuilding relationships. Music and dance presentations created a sense of belonging regardless of ethnicity. Impact: The forum led to the formation of the Youth for Peace, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Committee, comprised of youth from the PoC site and Wau town. The new body will be responsible for organizing peace and cultural activities. We, the youth from IDP camps, are happy to join our colleagues today in town to celebrate this day. The youth in PoC and other collective sites were forced against their will to stay in IDP camps because of lack of security. But today we urged the government and other partners to provide security and other basic needs in the return sites, so that, we, the youth in the IDP camps, could go back to start our normal living. (...) Go to school, because future leaders of this country need educated people. The launching of the cultural activity today will help youth regain their true identity. - Youth from PoC Adjacent Area Observations: UNMISS will support the activities of the Youth for Peace, Reconciliation and Social Cohesion Committee, including through the provision of trainings to enhance dialogue and reconciliation skills. INTERFAITH DIALOGUE ON THE ROLE OF RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN PEACEBUILDING AND RECONCILIATION Malakal, Upper Nile State, August Context: The Inter-Religious Council of Malakal was established in January 2018 by local religious leaders from Malakal town and the PoC site to promote inter-communal dialogue and reconciliation. The council members remain committed to play a vital role in promoting peace between various communities, however, they lack essential reconciliation skills. Action: The two-day conference, that was attended by 33 participants (seven women), provided a platform for religious leaders from Shilluk, Dinka and Nuer ethnic groups to identify approaches to peacebuilding and share experiences to foster reconciliation. The conference built skills of the religious leaders on early warning indicators, conflict mitigation and reconciliation and raised awareness about adopting strategies to discourage hate speech and criminal activities. Impact: The participants committed to disseminating peace messages in churches, mosques and schools. Concrete action points were developed to drive positive change at the community level. Observations: Selection of key influential leaders to participate in the conference positively shaped the group discussions dynamics. DISSEMINATION OF PEACE AGREEMENT TO AJAK AND AJONGDIT COMMUNITIES Malek Alel, Ajak County, Aweil State and Madhol, Ajongdith County, Aweil East State, August Context: In Aweil, the Ajak and the Ajongdith communities have been in conflict for many years over the ownership of a fertile agricultural land in the Dang area. In 2016, at a UNMISS organised forum, both sides signed a resolution to peacefully resolve the matter, however, cultivation season in 2017 witnessed renewal of the conflict, necessitating for state authorities and UNMISS to organise a follow up forum on 22 May 2018 that led to the signing of a peace resolution. They agreed to equally divide the disputed land between the two communities and a committee was formed to monitor its implementation and intervene in the event of disputes. UNMISS was requested

3 to facilitate its dissemination and monitor the implementation. Action: The dissemination event was attended by 109 participants (22 women), including Ajak and Ajongdit community leaders, youth groups, and government authorities of Aweil and Aweil East states. The participants were sensitised about the terms and conditions of the peace resolution and urged them to avoid further conflict, restore peaceful coexistence and mend the social fabric. Impact: The two communities pledged their commitment to respect the peace agreement. The government representatives of Aweil East and Aweil states promised to work towards the establishment of the proposed high committee to initiate the implementation of the resolution and, in consultation with the communities, divide the disputed land. Observations: UNMISS will follow up with the ministers of Local Government of Aweil and Aweil East states on the formation of the joint high committee. Mayiandit and Koch, has further weakened communal relations. There is fear that intercommunal violence, revenge killings and attacks may increase if grievances of the affected population are not addressed. Action: UNMISS organized a forum for 102 participants, including women, youth, traditional chiefs, elders, military, police, state and county authorities. The peace forum created a unique platform for communities to engage in a dialogue and discuss ways to improve communal relations, including through preventing cattle raids and revenge attacks. Impact: The local population recognized the need for reconciliation between communities in government and opposition controlled-areas. Participants committed to continue working towards promoting peace at the community level by promoting interaction between communities. We urge UNMISS to conduct a similar peace forum with SPLM-iO youth in their areas so that young people can understand the importance of peace. (...) We need SPLM-iO youth to communicate with us so that we can start building trust and confidence between us, because we cannot achieve peace without communication. Let us take the leading role in building peace. - Youth participant Peace dissemination campaign in Madhol. PEACE CAMPAIGN FORUM TO ADDRESS CATTLE RAIDS AND REVENGE KILLINGS Leer town, Southern Liech State, 23 August Context: The recent fighting between government and opposition forces in Southern Unity area, particularly in Leer, Observations: The effective implementation of the Khartoum Framework Agreement between the government and opposition might improve communal relations in Southern Unity. RECONCILIATION CONFERENCE BETWEEN TIJOR AND TALI CATTLE CAMPS Terekeka County, Terekeka State, August Context: In Tijor County, the presence of cattle camps belonging to Gwor of Tali County has been a major conflict driver between

4 farmers and cattle keepers. This has often resulted in cattle raids, looting of property and killings. Despite mitigation efforts by the government authorities, tension remains high between youth of Tijor and Tali counties. Action: UNMISS organised a workshop in Terekeka State with the aim of facilitating reconciliation and promoting peaceful coexistence between Tijor and Tali communities. The event was attended by over 750 participants, including cattle keepers, farmers, youth, women, county commissioners, police, fire brigade and prison officials. The youth from both sides identified the root causes of the conflict and proposed solutions. They admitted that engaging in cattle raiding was negatively affecting both sides, often resulting in loss of lives. Reconciliation conference between Tijor and Tali cattle camps. Observations: The deployment of police personnel to the area and provision of a policy framework to regulate the presence of cattle belonging to Tali communities in Tijor needs to be implemented to ensure sustainable peace in the area. WORKSHOP TO PROMOTE CONFLICT RESOLUTION AND SOCIAL COHESION Pibor town, Boma State, August Context: Boma State has been facing complex forms of communal conflicts, both internally as well as with neighbouring states. Incidents of age-set fighting, cattle raiding, and child abductions are among the major drivers of conflicts among Murle communities, and between Murle and other ethnic groups. Action: UNMISS organised a two-day workshop for 99 participants, including representatives from churches, youth, women s groups, traditional leaders and government officials to promote conflict resolution and social cohesion. The event also contributed to building local capacities to promote peaceful coexistence and raised the awareness of stakeholders of their roles and responsibilities to resolve conflict and reconcile communities. Impact: Participants agreed to actively engage in conflict mediation and committed to support the ongoing peace efforts driven by Kabarize (women s group) and the state government. Participants also resolved to establish a committee led by the Boma State Peace Commission to help coordinate and respond to emerging conflicts. Impact: The cattle camp representatives expressed their willingness to reconcile and agreed to increase accountability for criminal activities. The conference resolutions were Parents must stop accepting raided cattle and developed and signed by relevant accepting to take custody of abducted children in stakeholders with the endorsement of the their homes. Parents must not bless their sons for state governor. They requested UNMISS to their success in cattle raiding and child abduction. train 35 cattle camp chiefs in conflict management techniques to mitigate emerging - Workshop participant tensions.

5 Observations: In a UNMISS organised workshop in March 2018, Kabarize members had agreed to discourage age-set fighting and child abductions as well as improving relations with neighbouring communities through regular engagements. Coordination between Boma State Peace Commission and Kabarize would be essential towards effective conflict resolution. POST-MIGRATION CONFERENCE FOR WESTERN LAKES, EASTERN LAKES, GOK, TEREKEKA AND AMADI STATES Cueibet town, Gok State, August Context: Cross-border migration is a decades- long practice of various communities living along the border of Western Lakes, Eastern Lakes, Gok, Terekeka, and Amadi states. Pastoralist communities migrate in search of water and pasture, which often results in conflicts between pastoralists and host communities over competition for resources. Action: UNMISS, VISTAS, UNDP and FAO in collaboration with state authorities organised a post-migration conference in Cuiebet to review the impact of the resolutions agreed during the pre-migration conference in Tali in May The event was attended by 70 participants, including the five states governors, the ministers of Local Government for Western Lakes and Eastern Lakes states, the Gok deputy governor, traditional chiefs, two members of the national parliament and members of the Joint Border Peace Committee (JBPC). The participants noted that effective implementation of the pre-migration resolutions had significantly reduced communal disputes, cattle raids and violence. JBPC members praised state governors for providing the necessary support. They noted that lack of means of communicating was negatively affecting coordination among JBPC members from the five states. Impact: The conference produced 10 resolutions and 12 recommendations to further strengthen migration-related activities across the five states. Observations: Continued dissemination of the resolutions to the communities across the five states and effective coordination between states authorities are necessary to ensure sustainability of the process. CONFLICT MANAGEMENT TRAINING FOR CATTLE CAMP CHIEFS Terekeka County, Terekeka State, August Context: Terekeka State has been affected by inter-communal conflicts related to intra and inter-state cattle raids, revenge attacks, and disputes over grazing land and water points. Action: The workshop built the capacity of 35 chiefs to peacefully manage cattle-related conflict. The event promoted local ownership of community-based approaches in peacebuilding and enhanced peaceful coexistence of cattle keepers in the state. Impact: Participants learned how to dialogue, negotiate, and mediate conflicts without resorting to violence. The presence of the members of the Terekeka State Joint Border Committee in the training provided a useful link to foster coordination with local chiefs to ensure the peaceful return of stolen cattle. The chiefs also proposed the imposition of fines for cattle raiders. Observations: Implementation of projects with community-based organizations facilitates community mobilization, promotes a sense of local ownership and builds community capacity. Prepared by UNMISS Civil Affairs Division. For inquiries please contact Lauren at lauren.schoenster@un.org