Latest news with #WarrapState
Zawya
09-08-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
South Sudan: Civil society leaders forge new connections for peace across Warrap
Civil society organizations are seen as the voice of the people, advocating for communities and promoting peaceful solutions. However, in Warrap State, their voice often struggles to reach far enough. This week, in Kuajok, representatives from six counties met for three days to discuss improving coordination and connections between the state capital and remote communities. 'Our community is tired of war,' says Bona Malual Akec, Chairperson of the Warrap State Civil Society Network. He recalls a recent county dispute that escalated to violence before being addressed at the state level. 'By engaging with communities directly, we can come together and resolve issues before they worsen.' Asunta Nyanut, founder of the Support Women and Girls Organization, emphasizes that the gap goes beyond communication; it's about whose voices are heard. She has witnessed county-level projects fail due to a lack of information for women's groups. 'With adequate resources and recognition, we could combat gender-based violence, keep girls in school, and hold perpetrators accountable,' she states. During the sessions, Asunta translated key points into local dialects, ensuring women from rural areas could understand and fully participate. The absence of county-level links also leaves many groups invisible. John Lino Anei, representing those with disabilities, notes that his community frequently misses invitations to peace dialogues and hears about decisions only after they're made. 'Physical barriers, such as the absence of wheelchairs or transport, hinder participation.' In Kuajok, John actively ensured inclusion by attending every session, distributing notebooks, helping with projectors, and reminding participants that removing obstacles is essential for significant contribution. Marco Guot Ajiek, Executive Director of the Relief Aid and Community Care Organization, stressed that stronger coordination among civil society organizations is essential for peace in Warrap. 'It's about sharing a common vision, learning from each other and shifting mindsets on issues like cattle raiding,' he explains. By the end of the gathering, participants agreed to establish six county coordination offices with designated points of contact for sharing early warnings and peace updates, and they amended the network's constitution to ensure county representation in decision-making. The first-ever forum bringing together representatives from all counties was supported by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), featuring training on conflict-sensitive peacebuilding and planning sessions. Civil Affairs Kuajok Team Leader Adewuyi Adewumi urged members to harness their community privilege for positive change. "Now is the time to act. Build networks and become the vigilant eyes and ears of civil society. Your actions can make a difference!" Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
05-08-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
From fear to hope – disarmament campaign provokes mixed sentiments in Warrap
'It's difficult to say how people feel. We all long for the violent outbreaks to stop but people also fear not being able to defend themselves if the worst happens.' At Manyang Kuel market, Alook Deng Akok has witnessed the conflicting sentiments of her customers about the disarmament campaign initiated by the new governor across Warrap State. Haunted by persistent cattle raids and outbreaks of violence, the mother of five recently resettled from Tonj to Kuajok where she is selling vegetables to support her family. 'Things feel safe here, but the situation is very different if you leave the surroundings of Kuajok. There is no safety outside,' she says. For her, resettling has been easier because her husband is a Kuajok resident, which means they have shelter and the means to sustain themselves economically, albeit facing challenges due to slow business. For many others, their living experience is very different. Following the return of hundreds of South Sudanese refugees over the years, Kuajok residents report a severe lack of accommodation, sanitation, food and clean drinking water. 'We don't know how to support new community members as even long-term residents of are lacking the basic means to survive,' explains Alook. 'What we need most is for the random violence to stop across Warrap State.' The government believes that disarming communities will decrease violence. However, these very weapons have also served as a deterrent and means of self-defense. It is difficult to get the balance right. Many traditional chiefs have not been supportive of the initiative, fearing they will be held responsible if the campaign leads to their communities suffering from further violence without the ability to protect themselves. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in Kuajok is supporting efforts to improve security across the state by increasing daily and long-distance peacekeeping patrols. Alternating daily between over 72 local schools, markets, police stations and health care facilities, they aim to provide a protective presence while also gathering insights about the needs of local communities. 'This country lies, first and foremost, in the hands of its people, so we try to dedicate as much time as possible to hear directly from them about how to best support their communities,' explains UNMISS Kuajok Patrol Leader Augustine Michael. For Alook, what matters most right now is achieving peace, through any means possible, not just for her family but all communities across South Sudan. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Zawya
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
Talks in Gogrial West reveal need for awareness-raising on right to protection
Many residents of Gogrial West County are unaware of their fundamental right to be protected, often silently enduring violence, theft, or domestic abuse. Despite being a relatively peaceful part of Warrap State, people living here are sometimes subject to conflicts and their consequences, crime, risks related to climate change and, last but not least, the frequent incidents of domestic violence mostly suffered by women and girls. "They, like everyone else, have the right to live safely and with dignity," stated Bakhita Burke, Gender-Based Violence Coordinator at Women for Change, a women-led non-governmental organization, adding that a lack of tangible conflict is no guarantee of peace on the home front. 'Behind closed doors, many women continue to suffer,' she said, remarking that recent months have seen a concerning increase of suicides related to physical abuse. Ms. Burke and some other 50 invited guests, including political and community leaders, survivors of violence and other stakeholders, discussed a variety of topics, all related to advocacy for human rights, at a workshop in Kuajok facilitated by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). Another such issue is cattle raiding and the profound distress this harmful and unlawful practice causes. Alongside gender-based violence, cattle theft emerged as another significant issue during discussions. Daniel Mangar, Executive Director for Gogrial West County, elaborated on the profound economic and emotional distress caused by these incidents. "These thefts may seem minor to outsiders, but they create fear, tensions and financial losses for anyone affected,' commented Mariang Martin Agoth, Executive Director of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission, highlighting the importance of partnerships. "Humanitarians step in precisely where government resources fall short, trying to make sure that displaced families and other vulnerable community members are not forgotten." Lucy Okello, a Protection, Transition&Reintegration Officer serving with UNMISS, reflected on the bigger picture and the people of South Sudan the peacekeeping mission is here to serve. 'Each statistic we discuss represents real families, facing real and severe hardship. Our talk today must be translated into actions tomorrow.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS).
Arab News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Civilian killings in South Sudan hit highest level since 2020: UN
NAIROBI: The number of civilians killed in South Sudan has soared to the highest in almost five years, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The unstable east African nation has seen a drastic uptick in violence since simmering rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his vice president Riek Machar boiled over into open hostilities. The detention in March of Machar in the capital Juba further escalated tensions, with international NGOs working in the country reporting attacks on medical facilities and the targeting of civilians. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said that between January and March of this year, 739 civilians were killed, 679 injured, 149 abducted and 40 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence. In a statement, it said that compared to the previous quarter this toll marked a '110 percent increase in civilians killed (352 to 739).' The overall figure of victims was 'the highest number in any three-month period since 2020.' The majority of the victims were recorded in Warrap State, where President Kiir declared a state of emergency in June. Most of the killings were linked to community-based militias or civil defense groups. However, UNMISS said 'conventional parties and other armed groups' accounted for 15 percent of victims, 'marking a concerning increase of 27 percent (from 152 to 193).' The UN has repeatedly warned of the deteriorating situation in the impoverished country, which is still recovering from a five-year civil war between forces allied to Kiir and Machar that was only ended by a fragile 2018 peace agreement. That agreement has looked increasingly irrelevant, with UN rights chief Volker Turk calling on all parties in May to 'urgently pull back from the brink' and uphold the deal. The escalation of violence risks further worsening the already terrible humanitarian situation and widespread violations of human rights in the world's youngest country, he said at the time.
Al Arabiya
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Civilian killings in South Sudan hit highest level since 2020: UN
The number of civilians killed in South Sudan has soared to the highest in almost five years, the United Nations said on Wednesday. The unstable east African nation has seen a drastic uptick in violence since simmering rivalry between President Salva Kiir and his vice-president Riek Machar boiled over into open hostilities. The detention in March of Machar in the capital Juba further escalated tensions, with international NGOs working in the country reporting attacks on medical facilities and the targeting of civilians. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) said that between January and March of this year, 739 civilians were killed, 679 injured, 149 abducted and 40 subjected to conflict-related sexual violence. In a statement, it said that compared to the previous quarter this toll marked a '110 percent increase in civilians killed (352 to 739).' The overall figure of victims was 'the highest number in any three-month period since 2020'. The majority of the victims were recorded in Warrap State, where President Kiir declared a state of emergency in June. Most of the killings were linked to community-based militias or civil defense groups. However, UNMISS said 'conventional parties and other armed groups' accounted for 15 percent of victims, 'marking a concerning increase of 27 percent (from 152 to 193).' The UN has repeatedly warned of the deteriorating situation in the impoverished country, which is still recovering from a five-year civil war between forces allied to Kiir and Machar that was only ended by a fragile 2018 peace agreement. That agreement has looked increasingly irrelevant, with UN rights chief Volker Turk calling on all parties in May to 'urgently pull back from the brink' and uphold the deal. The escalation of violence risks further worsening the already terrible humanitarian situation and widespread violations of human rights in the world's youngest country, he said at the time.
