The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in collaboration with the government of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State on Thursday launched a two-day workshop to strengthen the role of traditional leaders in the implementation of the peace agreement.
Addressing 70 community leaders at the workshop on Thursday in Aweil, the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Governor, Tong Akeen Ngor, said the training is crucial especially as the transitional period elapses.
“It is good that today (Thursday) we have a workshop concerning the roadmap in the Republic of South Sudan. The roadmap is the role of South Sudanese and the partners to the agreement are very committed to implementing the 24-month roadmap that they have signed,” said Akeen. “It is good that all of you are aware that Northern Bahr el Ghazal is always in peace and will remain always in peace and I want to take this opportunity to thank the UNMISS field office and the Civil Affairs Division for their commitment and being always standing with our people on all issues affecting them.”
The UN Mission’s head of field office in Aweil, Ataklti Hailu, said traditional leaders have a big role in the implementation of the agreement in their communities.
He invited all South Sudanese leaders to fully adhere to the roadmap.
“The agenda is about strengthening the role of traditional leaders towards meaningful implementation of the peace agreement and the roadmap and incidentally yesterday (Wednesday) was the end of the transitional period. So, we have started a new phase now and we are entering into the implementation of the roadmap and it is a critical juncture for South Sudan,” said Hailu.
A representative of chiefs, Ungom Wol Ungom, said they expect to understand the political processes in the country so that they can convey the message to their people at the grassroots.
“We, the chiefs of Aweil, need to understand the situation of the peace agreement in this workshop so that we gain experience on where South Sudan is heading, what is a need from all South Sudanese, and what peace messages we are taking to our people in different counties,” Wol said.