Members of various Civil Society Organizations met in Juba on Wednesday to discuss their role in the upcoming National Dialogue in March.

In December 2016, South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir called for national dialogue to discuss issues related to the structure of the country.

Speaking during the meeting at Juba Grand Hotel, Raja Mohandis, Executive Director of South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Election (SSNDE), said the meeting focused on the role of civil society organizations in the upcoming National Dialogue.

“For us at this moment, we felt that we want to come in an impartial manner to contribute in any process that will help contribute to stability in our country.  First, there should be guarantees for an open and free engagement in the national dialogue, and all the stakeholders should be given a chance,” said Raja.

“If the space is not created for us to be able to inform the citizens about this process, it will not be an inclusive dialogue that will be genuine and contribute to the stability of this country,” he added.

Meanwhile, Betty Obog, a representative of South Sudan Peace Commission, said the civil society organizations should be involved in the process for the sake peace and stability in South Sudan.

Obog further said her Commission will mobilize all peace partners to support the National Dialogue process in the country.

For his part, Abraham Awolich, Senior Policy Analyst at Sudd Institute, said the member of the civil society organizations are key stakeholders in the National Dialogue, saying the group will mobilize citizens at the grass roots level to come and participate in the process.

“When you are talking about the modalities of bringing peace home, basically, you are talking to the IDPs and refugees so that they tell you what they want and nobody should be left out,” said Awolich.

“So, I think the issue of inclusivity, but it should not be defined politically, it means all the people of South Sudan who have grievances to be addressed, they will have the opportunity to do that,” he added.

Photo: Members of the South Sudan Civil Society during the UNSC conference, September 3, 2016/Gurtong