Newsroom

NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON PEACE KICKS OFF IN JUBA

JUBA – A three-day National Stakeholders’ Consultative Dialogue focusing on accelerating peace initiatives and de-escalating violence in South Sudan opened on Monday in Juba, drawing a wide range of national actors committed to addressing the country’s ongoing security challenges.

The high-level forum brought together representatives from the national government, state authorities, peacebuilding institutions, civil society organizations, religious leaders, youth groups, and women’s networks. The gathering aims to foster collective reflection on the current peace landscape and to strengthen coordinated action to curb violence in conflict-affected areas.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, officials emphasized that the dialogue comes at a critical moment as communities continue to grapple with sporadic clashes, cattle-related violence, and political tensions. They stressed the need for fresh commitment from all sectors to rebuild trust, promote reconciliation, and reinforce local peace structures.

Government representatives noted that while progress has been made in some regions, significant gaps remain particularly in early warning systems, community policing, and the implementation of peace agreements at the local level. They called on stakeholders to adopt a unified approach to addressing root causes of conflict, including competition over resources, youth unemployment, and weak governance systems.

Civil society leaders welcomed the dialogue, describing it as an opportunity to amplify community voices and ensure that peace strategies reflect local realities. Women’s organizations highlighted the critical role women continue to play in mediation and grassroots peace efforts, urging that their contributions be fully integrated into national decision-making processes.

Youth representatives also raised concerns about rising youth-driven violence, calling for expanded opportunities in education, skills training, and employment to reduce vulnerability to conflict.

Over the next three days, participants will engage in panel discussions, thematic working sessions, and expert presentations covering a broad spectrum of issues. These include community reconciliation, local governance reforms, security sector engagement, humanitarian challenges, and accountability mechanisms.

The consultation will also examine previous peacebuilding interventions to determine what has worked, what has not, and what needs adjustment. Organizers say that understanding these gaps is essential to designing effective, community-centered strategies that can lead to sustainable peace.

According to organizers, the findings and recommendations from the dialogue will feed into national peace frameworks and serve as a roadmap for future interventions. The outcomes are expected to guide policy direction, donor engagement, and coordination between local and national peace actors.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that the dialogue will generate fresh momentum toward building a peaceful, united, and stable South Sudan.  

The three-day National Stakeholders’ Consultative Dialogue is organized by the Center for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ), in collaboration with national stakeholders, to accelerate peace initiatives and de-escalate violence across South Sudan.