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UN PhotoSOUTH SUDAN / NATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY CONFERENCE
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / NATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY CONFERENCE
TRT: 03:47
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 21 JANUARY 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / FILE
FILE - SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, cattle camp
21 JANUARY 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
2. Various shots, conference
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Alfred Agaya, Deputy Chief Administrator, Greater Pibor Administrative Area:
“The Government of Greater Pibor envisions peaceful prosperity and inclusive areas where citizens live harmoniously and with respect for the rule of law. This mission is not just words on paper. It is a call to action for each of us, urging us to move beyond rhetoric and into an actionable plan and enactment.”
FILE - SOUTH SUDAN
4. Various shots, cattle, displaced people
21 JANUARY 2025, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Atong Kuol Manyang, Deputy Governor, Jonglei State:
“Of course, we want peace within our respective areas and within our neighbors because we need each other. Without peace, we cannot have development. South Sudan has gone through a lot of conflicts, a lot of fights, we know since the 1950s, until we got peace. All we want, the State and Administrative Area, is to have the peace that others enjoy, to develop our State and Administrative Area. And how can we do that? It is only if we work together, and we get the support we have from our partners.”
6. Various shots, conference
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Pia Phillip, Undersecretary, Ministry of Peace Building:
“Empower the women economically. Teach the young people, the youth, sustainable livelihood skills, use their raw materials which is the cows that they have, add value to their milk, give them refrigerated vehicles to transport the milk from where they are to Juba, help those with fishing nets and conserving the production of whatever they are getting from the river, the fish, helping them build that connection. That’s when peace can come to that area.”
8. Various shots, conference
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for South Sudan, United Nations / Deputy Head, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“This plan will serve as a roadmap for enhancing justice systems, reducing barriers to accountability, and fostering trust within communities. It an ambitious task but one that is achievable through collaboration, determination and active participation of all stakeholders.”
10. Various shots, conference
Key stakeholders gathered at a National Accountability Conference in Juba, South Sudan, supported by the United Nations Mission in the country, to develop robust new systems to strengthen accountability and rule of law as a pathway to sustainable peace.
According to the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), the challenges facing the people of Jonglei State and Greater Pibor Administrative Areas are immense, but so is their determination to end the persistent cycle of cattle raiding, abductions, and sexual violence that plague this region of South Sudan.
Alfred Agaya Deputy Chief Administrator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said, “The Government of Greater Pibor envisions a peaceful prosperity and inclusive areas where citizens live harmoniously and with respect for the rule of law. This mission is not just words on paper. It is a call to action for each of us, urging us to move beyond rhetoric and into an actionable plan and enactment.”
Dinka, Lou Nuer and Murle communities have a long history of cattle raiding and abductions of women and children. Research commissioned by UNMISS’ Rule of Law and Security Institutions Section found these practices are not cultural, but rather financially driven, in an environment of scarce resources, political conflict, intercommunal tensions and limited infrastructure and services.
Jonglei State Deputy Governor, Atong Kuol Manyang, said, “Of course, we want peace within our respective areas and within our neighbours because we need each other. Without peace, we cannot have development. South Sudan has gone through a lot of conflicts, a lot of fights, we know since the 1950s, until we got peace. All we want, the State and Administrative Area, is to have the peace that others enjoy, to develop our State and Administrative Area. And how can we do that? It is only if we work together, and we get the support we have from our partners.”
While high-level engagement is important, urgent action is needed to tackle the drivers of conflict, including addressing the severe economic plight of communities, because it is only through development that peace will be achieved.
Ministry Of Peace Building Undersecretary, Pia Phillip, said, “Empower the women economically. Teach the young people, the youth, sustainable livelihood skills, use their raw materials which is the cows that they have, add value to their milk, give them refrigerated vehicles to transport the milk from where they are to Juba, help those with fishing nets and conserving the production of whatever they are getting from the river, the fish, helping them build that connection. That’s when peace can come to that area.”
While acknowledging the deep sensitivity and complexity of the challenges, UNMISS is urging political leaders to be innovative in finding solutions to ensure justice and promote healing in affected communities through an action plan.
Guang Cong, Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, said, “This plan will serve as a roadmap for enhancing justice systems, reducing barriers to accountability, and fostering trust within communities. It an ambitious task but one that is achievable through collaboration, determination and active participation of all stakeholders.”
The plan to chart a new path towards reconciliation, ending impunity, and strengthening justice will be developed and signed by stakeholders at the conclusion of the conference.
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