How UNMISS can support ARCISS and national dialogue in South Sudan
By Mach Samuel Peter, Bor, Jonglei State
March 2, 2017 (SSB) —- A new UN secretary General has come to post and new Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) to South Sudan Mr. David Shearer has also come to post, he was warmly welcomed by the government and the people of South Sudan. Personally, I wrote an article entitled the New UNMISS Chief should restore trust between UNMISS and the people of South Sudan. The article welcomes the new mandate and encourages UNMISS and the government of the people of South Sudan to open anew page.
To embark on this piece of article, the peace agreement signed in August 2015 has not been disseminated to all the areas of South Sudan especially the country side. The UNMISS had done a tremendous work sensitizing the citizens in pre-referendum to post referendum in South Sudan which led to the attainment of the hard earned independence. I expect them to do the same to re realization of the success of the ARCISS and national dialogue.
In this article I want to emphasize practically on how the United Nation Mission in South Sudan UNMISS can practically support the dissemination of the Agreement on the resolution of the conflict in the republic of South Sudan and the national dialogue to help restore South Sudan in all aspects.
This initiative can be supported through quick impact projects (QIP) and set of activities that bring together CBOs, CSOs, church group, traditional leaders, village youth, town youth, women groups, and these activities include wrestling competition and traditional dances accompanied by music performances, workshop, radio talk shows, press releases, public discussions, public rallies and beauty contest. I am aware of the UNMISS mandate which sometime limits the mission from doing a lot of things.
Wider dissemination is needed because, not many people can read and write, not everyone in the country side can afford buying radio, so not many people listen to radio stations, watch TV or read news papers and magazines, not every is also in possession of the document.
The support of the dissemination and peace dialogue will help information marginalized youth and citizens at large address the lack of public awareness, minimize political manipulation, and encourage the citizen to response in an informed manner, in support to peace agreement and national dialogue. CSOs and CBOs can take the lead and disseminate as far as every village, Bomas and Payams.
The UNMISS in cooperation with the Transitional Government of National Unity should create an enabling environment for the execution of these set of activities and I believe everlasting peace is attainable
The activities are:
Consultative Community workshops:
This activity will enable CBOs to disseminate information on the content of ARCSS and on how the agreement affects local governance in South Sudan. The activity will introduce the project to and engage the traditional leaders, youth leaders, business community, women leaders, CBOs and CSOs, church groups, State and County authorities on the contents and implication of the peace agreement.
The community consultative workshop will promote avenues for citizen participation in political processes through information sharing, dialogues and platforms for learning and engagement to strengthen the citizens’ understanding and ability to hold their leaders accountable while also demanding for full implementation of the Agreement.
Wrestling Competition
The wrestling competition is to garner a platform for informing, educating and disseminating information to the mass attracted to wrestling matches. The activity can counter misinformation and political manipulation. It will create avenues for citizen to participate in the implementation processes and mechanisms to hold the signatories accountable and promote active and inclusive participation of traditionally information marginalized population.
Beauty contest and Music concerts
The beauty contest and music concert is to enable the youth who are role model in our communities to speak out in support of transitional justice, transitional governance, constitution making and women empowerment during transitional period to enhance better and more empowered women representations in the executive, legislative and judiciary system of governance.
Radio talk shows
Many infotainment and informative radio programs have been run on Radio Miraya in support to the implementation of the ARCISS. The same spirit should be extended to other local radio stations across the country with financial support from UNMISS. Radio talk shows in indigenous languages can promote inclusive and active participation of citizens and the hybrid court, proposed reforms on security, political accountability, peace and reconciliation, reparation and reconstruction fund.
The agreement and national dialogue matrix can be discussed. The aim is to increase citizens’ knowledge on, participation in and ownership of the ARCISS and other important political processes.
The Panel discussions
I remember a panel discussion once organized on Wednesday November 11, 2015 at Dr. John Garang Memorial University of Science and Technology supported by viable support to transition and stability in South Sudan VISTAS attended by IGAD representative. The University students can be supported with cash to implement this activity in secondary and primary schools.
Panel discussion can provide in-depth and critical information about the implementation of peace agreement and transitional government of national unity regarding transitional justice, accountability, reconciliation and healing commissions.
Social Media outreach
This activity, which will target the youth and the Diasporas, will enable CBOs and CSOs educate through print and online media, and social media such as on Facebook, twitter and mobile messaging, and WhatsApp.
Finally, I urge the mission to support the government and people of South Sudan and also encourage the government to do the vice-versa so that their common goal which is peace for South Sudan is achieved collectively the way referendum was.
This piece was written by Mach Samuel Peter reachable for comments and concerns via machsamuel89@gmail.com or +211 955 437 877.
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