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STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / TRADITIONAL LEADERS WORKSHOP
TRT: 02:50
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH/NATS
DATELINE: 21 JUNE 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN / FILE
FILE - March 2019, Bor, South Sudan
1.Various shots, Traditional Leaders peace dialogue
21 JUNE 2024, JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN
2.SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH] GUY BENNETT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIVISION - CHIEF, UNMISS:
“UNMISS has traditionally done a lot of work with traditional leaders enhancing these roles. What we have done now is looking at that traditional leadership and local governance specifically in anticipation of the constitution-making process that looks for popular public opinion. The idea behind this is not just a one off but we are working with the ministry of federal affairs in supporting their initiatives at the national level in advance of their federalism conference that has been delayed but is anticipated in July. And then ultimately trying to take it down below the capital and into the states and into those local communities, facilitating their work there.”
3.Med shot, Head table from left, Hon. Stephen Par Kuol - Minister of Peace Building, Hon. Lasuba Wongo - Minister of Federal Affairs, Guy Bennett, UNMISS Political Affairs - Chief
4.SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH] LASUBA WOGO, MINISTER OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS, GOSS:
“It is important, ladies and gentlemen, that this workshop gives guidance, gives a direction of how the role of traditional leadership is crucial in the constitution-making process and is crucial in the process whereby we are transitioning this government from the current decentralized system to a federal system of government and it is important to recognize the role of traditional leadership in that new dispensation.”
5.Med, Traditional Leader seated
6.Wide, Traditional Leader standing and speaking
7.SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH] MALOK DHUAL AKEK, TRADITIONAL LEADER:
“For the country to be in peace, it needs the traditional leaders, which are the basis of the community, and as the base of the community, we who will carry the same message to the bases, and then from the bases, when there is a peace at the base, there will be a peace at the higher level.”
8.Med, Workshop purpose slide on projector screen
9.Wide, Workshop room
Across South Sudan, traditional leaders hold immense power, providing guidance and influencing decisions on issues ranging from marriage to governance. As the country prepares for its first democratic elections, their role is more important than ever as they represent vast populations at the grassroots level. Given their cultural influence and deep-rooted community connections, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan is working with the Ministry of Federal Affairs to conduct workshops across the country for traditional leaders to strengthen their capacity and impact on constitution-making and governance processes.
Across South Sudan, traditional leaders wield immense power. They mediate conflict and resolve disputes through customary law, including on land, family and personal matters. They guide their communities through a wide range of issues – legal, political, social, economic and environmental. Their decisions are respected and binding.
Given their influence and deep community connections, the United Nations mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) is working with the ministry of federal affairs to conduct workshops to strengthen their capacity and impact on constitution making and governance in the lead-up to the country’s first democratic elections.
SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH] GUY BENNETT, POLITICAL AFFAIRS DIVISION - CHIEF, UNMISS:
“UNMISS has traditionally done a lot of work with traditional leaders enhancing these roles. What we have done now is looking at that traditional leadership and local governance specifically in anticipation of the constitution-making process that looks for popular public opinion. The idea behind this is not just a one off but we are working with the ministry of federal affairs in supporting their initiatives at the national level in advance of their federalism conference that has been delayed but is anticipated in July. And then ultimately trying to take it down below the capital and into the states and into those local communities, facilitating their work there.”
The government of South Sudan acknowledges the important role of traditional leaders who represent and influence vast grassroots populations, and stresses how important it is to clearly define their roles and ensure that their voices are heard at the national level.
SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH]: LASUBA WOGO, MINISTER OF FEDERAL AFFAIRS, GOSS:
“It is important, ladies and gentlemen, that this workshop gives guidance, gives a direction of how the role of traditional leadership is crucial in the constitution-making process and is crucial in the process whereby we are transitioning this government from the current decentralized system to a federal system of government, and it is important to recognize the role of traditional leadership in that new dispensation.”
The inaugural workshop, held in Juba, will be followed up by similar sessions across all ten states with a focus on the status, roles and functions of traditional leaders and the implementation of their activities in line with the 2018 peace agreement.
SOUNDBITE [ENGLISH] MALOK DHUAL AKEK, TRADITIONAL LEADER:
“All my group are very happy with what is taking place because, for the country to be in peace, it needs the traditional leaders which are the basis of the community, and as the base of the community, we who will carry the same message to the bases, and then from the bases, when there is a peace at the base, there will be a peace at the higher level.”
The workshops will also help increase awareness and appreciation for the role of traditional leaders in safeguarding cultural practices, rituals and heritage across generations, reinforcing identity and a sense of belonging. The aim is to harness their influence to bridge the gap between communities and national institutions and their support for peace building in the world’s newest nation.
