Peacebuilding and reconciliation work in South Sudan

Background information

Since the politically charged conflict of 2013, there has been repeated violence against civilians. Millions of people have been displaced by military action. Conflicts are caused not only by political power struggles but also by the fight for resources. Even after signing a peace treaty, the South Sudanese government is weak, has hardly any financial resources and pursues other interests than taking care of social structures. Thus, the church is and remains an important peacemaker.

The Presbyterian Church (PCOSS) is the third largest church in the country and a partner church of Mission 21. It supports peace and reconciliation work. Children, young people and women in particular are strengthened. The population is getting younger and younger. Young people under the age of 24 make up 62 percent of the population. They are the future and hope of the country. At the same time, they are easily influenced and particularly affected by violence and its consequences. Experience has shown that women play an important role in peacebuilding. However, women have had little voice in South Sudan. Strengthening the role of women is an important concern of Mission 21 and the PCOSS.  

Project goals

PCOSS strengthens the capacities of the target population regarding peacebuilding and reconciliation work and provides psychosocial support.

Target group

In peacebuilding and reconciliation work, all ethnic groups are considered and included, and people from different social classes are addressed. A special focus is placed on women and young people.

Activities

In terms of methodology, the partner organization relies on the principle of "training of trainers": leaders are trained. In this way, knowledge is passed on and wider circles of the population are reached. In the trainings, non-violent conflict resolution and possibilities for reconciliation are discussed and tried out. Participants are encouraged to show reconciliation across ethnic boundaries, and stereotypes are weakened.

• "Training of trainers": Multipliers learn how peacebuilding can be implemented and can pass on their knowledge. They are trained to provide psychosocial support for the population of South Sudan and the members of the partner organizations.
• Developing international, national and regional peace and advocacy initiatives.
• Building a strong core structure of partner organizations
• Leadership training for women and youth
• Building structures to enable peacebuilding at the national and regional levels.
• "Peace Missions": visits to the diaspora and solidarity visits in the country.

Project progress

Peacebuilding is becoming an important component of all Mission 21 projects in South Sudan. Modules on peace and reconciliation work are offered at the Nile Theological College and the Giffen Institute for Theology.

The project coordinators undergo training to become "peace mobilizers". This means that they bring their knowledge of peace and reconciliation work into the project work.

Peace Missions" have been carried out since 2018. The church leadership makes solidarity visits especially in regions that are difficult to reach or in refugee camps. A high number of the population is still traumatized, especially women and children.

There continues to be significant demand for psychosocial support for children, women and men.

The work done so far is having an impact: pastors are incorporating their knowledge into church services and teachers are taking it into their school lessons. Peacebuilding is a particularly important topic in women's work.

 

Outlook: Project expansion

The project described above is to be expanded due to the current situation in the current project phase. The aim of the project expansion is to reach even more people. Especially the South Sudanese in the diaspora are important actors and can work for peace. They live in other countries or also in camps for internally displaced people.

Peacebuilding training is a part of all projects supported by Mission 21 in South Sudan. One of the aims of the project expansion is to anchor the topics of peace and reconciliation as well as the processing of war experiences even more firmly in all projects. 

Donations will initially flow into the basic project described above. If sufficient funding is available, additional activities are planned in the individual projects of the South Sudan Cooperation Program:

• At the Nile Theological College (NTC), a theological training center in Juba, peace and reconciliation work is an integral part of the curriculum. Details about the NTC can be found under the project title "Education for Social Change, Peace and Development in South Sudan."(Project No. 179.1015)
• Peacebuilding is also an integral part of the curriculum at the Giffen Institute for Theology. More information under the title "Adult Education for Shaping the Future." (Project No. 179.1024)
• Mission 21 supports a midwifery school. The midwives' training is supplemented with lessons on peace and reconciliation. The work of the midwives extends to different ethnic groups. Sensitization and assistance in dealing with the topic are therefore of great importance. Information on the corresponding project can be found under the title "School of midwifery: life for mothers and children". (Project No. 179.1022)
• In the Pochalla district, Mission 21 is running a project on food sovereignty and income generation. In addition to project work in the agricultural sector, peacebuilding is also gaining importance here and professional peace training is being incorporated into project activities. More information the title "Food Sovereignty in Rural Areas in South Sudan." (Project No. 179.1021)
• In the project "Education for the future: schools and children's home". (Project No. 179.1010), training in peacebuilding and reconciliation as well as psychological support are part of the curricula. Teachers are trained in dealing with traumatized children. These trainings are to be expanded.