What I will learn

  • The basis of holistic peace making and conflict resolution.
  • Individuals and organisations who participated in peace-making in South Sudan.
  • The role of the United Nations (UN) Charter and African Union (AU) Charter on conflict resolution.

What I will do

  • Investigate a range of resources that describe approaches and strategies for peace making in South Sudan.
  • Identify significant extracts from research findings in order to illustrate important aspects of peace making in South Sudan.
  • Compose a report or article about peace making in South Sudan.
Introduction

The following are some aspects that can define peace of a given society.

  • Sincere attempts of reconciliation between or among conflicting parties.
  • Existence of healthy or newly healed interpersonal or international relationship.
  • Existence of prosperity in matters of social and economic welfare.
  • Establishment and existence of equality and equity.
  • Existence of a working political order that serves the true interest of all.

In a situation where the above attributes of peace do not exist then there is no peace.

The meaning of peace-making

Peace-making is a process of settling a conflict between the disputing or conflicting parties. Peace-making seeks to achieve full reconciliation and mutual understanding among the disagreed parties.

When applied in criminal justice matters, peace-making is usually called restorative justice.

Peace making is not the final process of achieving peace. It needs a collaboration of peace keeping and peace building.

Peace keeping means keeping people from attacking each other by putting some kinds of barriers between them such as the use of police or persuading people to negotiate and avoid violence.

When using soldiers as peace keepers, the soldiers do not necessarily settle the disputants’ differences but they simply keep the two sides apart.

UN soldiers in a peace keeping mission in South Sudan

Peace building is the process of normalising relations and reconciling differences between all citizens.

Other terms associated with peace
  • Restorative justice – Is the process of bringing those harmed by a crime and those responsible for the crime into communication and mutual agreement rather than punishing the offender. This enables everyone affected by the conflict or crime to play a part in repairing the harm and finding a positive way out.

In a school set up, the goal of restorative justice is to enable learners, accused of the crime to come up with the solution for the mistake committed rather than punishing them.

Students sitting for exams.

  • Retributive justice – It is a theory which holds that the best response to a crime is punishment proportional to an offense committed because the offender deserves it.
  • Armistice – This is a formal agreement between or among the conflicting parties to stop fighting.

It is a temporary suspension of hostilities of warring parties by an agreement.

  • Reconciliation – Is a situation in which two people or groups of people become friendly again after they have argued.

It can be also defined as a process of making two opposite beliefs, ideas or situations agree.

Activity 11.1

Group work

In groups, discuss and make notes on advantages of restorative justice over retributive justice as a way of solving conflicts

Peace-makers of South Sudan

By the year 2013, conflicts between two rival political sides in South Sudan had led to a civil war. This in turn resulted in a national conflict.

The consequence of this civil war led to loss of lives by a large number of South Sudanese citizens.

In addition, millions of people were displaced and became refugees in the neighbouring countries especially Kenya and Uganda.

The conflict led to crimes against humanity, thus triggering the intervention of several non-governmental organisations and advocates of peace to settle the disputes.

A group of displaced South Sudanese citizens.

Activity 11.2

Group work

Q. Name and discuss the role of local organizations that have worked to make peace in South Sudan

Organisations that have helped in peace-making in South Sudan
  • Organisation for Peace Relief and Development (OPRD) This is an organisation that works towards eradicating and reducing social challenges such as poverty in South Sudan.

OPRD aims to achieve its objectives through implementation of peace and conflict. mitigation programmes, infrastructure rehabilitation and community development projects.

Some of the activities OPRD is involved in are:

  • Conflict mitigation and reconciliation.
  • Working towards strengthening of customary laws.
  • Facilitating the work of civil authorities in managing conflicts.
  • Educating citizens about their rights and freedom and supporting those victims whose rights have been violated.
  • Working towards eradication of cattle rustling.
  • Setting up programmes to fight gender-based violence.
  • Offering civic education, community dialogue and empowerment programmes.
Grassroots Relief and Development Agency (GREDA)

This was an agency formed in 2010 to enhance peaceful co-existence, good governance and better living standards in South Sudan.

It has partnered with local NGO’s such as Mundri Active Youth Association (MAYA) and international organisations such as the UN World Food Programme to carry out its work.

GREDA works in the following areas:

  • Peace building, conflict mitigation and resolution.
  • Promotion and protection of human rights.
  • Prevention, management and response to gender-based violence.
  • Economic empowerment of women and youth through micro-finance and vocational trainings.
  • Promotion of agriculture and food security.
  • Construction of low cost houses for the poor and the vulnerable such as widows.
  • Provision of humanitarian relief aids to victims of disasters.

Activity 11.3

Assignment work

Q. Conduct research on some of the organisations that work towards peace in South Sudan

South Sudan Centre for Conflict Resolution (SSCCR)

This is an indigenous organisation which started in 2008 as an initiative to engage young people with the idea of peace, development and human rights.

The organisation which is situated in Bentiu Town and Juba works in collaboration with both local and international NGOs and UN agencies to achieve and keep the peace in the region.

Organisation for Non-violence and Development (ONAD)

It was previously known as Sudanese Organisation for Non-violence Development (SONAD).

The organisation campaigned for non-violence solutions to conflicts and peaceful co-operation between North Sudan and South Sudan.

It organises workshops and training sessions in which it teaches about human rights, democracy participation and non-violence.

The main area of concern for this organisation is the inter-religious dialogue between Christians and Muslims.

Muslims praying for peace.

NOTE: All the organisations discussed above were locally formed in South Sudan and are really helping in peace making in the country.

However, there are a few international or inter-governmental organisations that have also helped to create peace in South Sudan.

Activity 11.2

Group work

Q. Describe the objectives of IGAD and UNMISS organizations in peace making in South Sudan

International organizations for peace making in South Sudan

Some of these organisations include:
  • Inter-Governmental Authority and Regional Integration (IGAD) This is a body currently comprising of 8 countries. They include Sudan, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Somalia and South Sudan.

IGAD is a subordinate organisation to the UN and the AU. Since its formation, its mandates have gradually expanded to address both political, peace and security issues.

Objectives of IGAD

Forster regional integration through economic cooperation and cross border initiative

Promote peace and security via conflict prevention and management

Ensuring food security and environmental protection

Supports social development and resilience

coordinate regional responses to emergencies and crisis (disasters)

Promote democratic governance and human rights

United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO)

This is an agency of the (UN)

The objectives of UNESCO in South Sudan are:

  • To advocate for peace and non-violence through education and media.
  • To promote scientific and cultural cooperation to manage the country’s resources, including its cultural heritage
  • To empower and engage young people, women and men.
United Nation Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)

This is a peace keeping organisation that has offered home to millions and thousands of South Sudanese refugees who fled their homes because of violence.

UNMISS was established on 8th July, 2011 by United Nations Security Council.

The organisation offers humanitarian programmes such as healthcare and food to thousands in South Sudan.

The stated UNMISS functions include:

  • To support for peace consolidation and foster long-term state building and economic development.
  • To support the government of the Republic of South Sudan in exercising its responsibilities for conflict mitigation and resolution and protect civilians.
  • To support the government of South Sudan in establishing the rule of law and strengthen the security and justice sectors.

UNMISS troops in South Sudan.

The African Union (AU)

African leadership is an essential element in bringing about peace.

The AU office in South Sudan, Juba was opened in 2008 following the communication issued at the 89th meeting of the AU held on 28th August 2007.

The Juba office supported the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) with respect to South Sudan.

After the independence of South Sudan, the AU set a strategic objective to promote good relations between the North and South Sudan.

The main objectives of the AU Juba office are:

  • Monitoring the overall political and security situation in South Sudan and report to the headquarters.
  • Assessing the implementation of the outstanding CPA issues and post- independence matters. This includes the political and security situation between the two states.
  • Collaboration with the AU liaison office in Khartoum, Sudan and the broad international community.

His Excellency President Salva Kiir with other AU leaders.

UN Charter of 1945

This is a treaty of the United Nations. The UN Charter articulates for a commitment to uphold human rights and outlines a broad set of principles relating to achieving higher standards of living among people by addressing economic, social and health problems.

Chapter VI of the UN charter deals with the peaceful settlement of disputes. It requires that disputes which may lead to war be first solved through peaceful methods such as negotiation, mediation, enquiry, arbitration, judicial settlement and the use of regional agencies.

If the above methods of peaceful dispute resolution fail, then they must refer it to the UN Security Council.

Current activities of peace-making in South Sudan
Peace dialogue

There are various dialogues that are being held in different parts of South Sudan with humanitarian agencies like NGOs, churches and other self-sponsored groups. The dialogues have contributed to a culture of non-violence aimed at conflict resolution and transformation of South Sudan.

Strengthening of peace networks across borders

Churches and youth organisations of South Sudan are creating networks with other organisations or churches in other countries like Kenya and Uganda.

These organisations observe the human rights situation and any infringements by or to the citizens of South Sudan.

His excellency President Salva Kiir in peace dialogue.

Peace, sports and theatre

Traditionally, cattle raiding was a way of young men to achieve the status of heroism. Possessions of many cattle continue to be a measuring device for status over generations to the livestock owners of South Sudan.

Today, sports and theatres are used to change the mind-set of warriors and break the cycle of violence. Messages on human rights, peace and security are transferred to a largely illiterate populations in a creative manner.

Promoting education

Different organisations like UNESCO have been promoting education in South Sudan. This is meant to enhance awareness among youths in economic projects that will help them improve their living standards.

Activity 11.3

Group work

Q. Identify current activities that are used for peace making in South Sudan.

Glossary
  • Adversaries–Refer to opponents.
  • Criminal justice –A system of practices and institutions of government directed at upholding social control and mitigating crime.
  • Mitigation–Act of lessening the force or intensity of something unpleasant.
  • Humanitarian–Being concerned with people’s welfare.
  • Resolution–A formal expression of opinion.
  • Cordial–Being friendly.
  • Liaison–The act of working together.
  • Articulate–To express.
  • Retributive justice – Justice that demands punishment for the offenders.
  • Restorative justice – Justice that calls for mutual agreement rather than punishment of the offenders.
  • Armistice–This is a formal agreement between or among the conflicting parties to stop fighting.
Última alteração: segunda-feira, 12 de janeiro de 2026 às 17:12