Peace Building | The Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan to the Royal Kingdom of Norway

South Sudan attended its Independence on 9^th July 2011, After a successful and peaceful referendum which scored 98% in the 21^st Century guaranteeing cession from the Republic of Sudan and the birth of the newest nation state.

This is after two decades of sustained policy of divide and rule by the successive regimes in Khartoum from 1955- 2004 till the COMPREHENSIVE PEACE AGREEMENT was signed on 9^th July 2005.

Despite the relative peace brought by Independence, true peace in South Sudan is threatened by the above history of divide and rule produced over time in the history of the struggle.

South Sudan, permanent peace is threatened, by armed groups, rebellions and local conflicts; these have led to the deaths of thousands of people since 2005. Incidences of internal violence among local communities are also on the increase in many part of the country. The current political crises caused by 15^th December 2013 FIALED COUP ATTEMPT by Dr. Riek Machar Teny, which had turned to extreme ethnic conflict dimension between the main ethnic communities of DINKGA AND NUER a clear evidence of the divide in South Sudan.

Against this ground the government of South Sudan has launched, the lead in preparations for National Reconciliation, Peace and Healing in the country.

In order to address post – conflict in South Sudan H.E. President Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit established three important Peace and Reconciliation bodies as:

1. THE PEACE AND RECONCILAITION COMMISSION

2. THE SPECILAIZED COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT ON PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

3. THE INDEPENDENCE COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL HEALING, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

mandated to work on national peace and reconciliation process with the vision and mission below:

Vision

To envision a society that collectively confronts individual, communal, and state abuses and human rights violations; clarifies and reconcile its divisive history to ensure that stories of all ethnic communities are represented; upholds the integrity and rights of all individuals including women, children and youth, reconciles South Sudanese in the diaspora with South Sudanese at home; and builds a new public culture characterized by inclusive governance, transparency, accountability, rule of law, and dialogue. The vision is inspired by ongoing consultations for a modern, strong, politically stable, socially inclusive and united South Sudan, where citizens are proud of and up hold their national values for the common good.

Mission

Establishing and strengthening an independent and inclusive platform and mechanism to collectively address the root causes of conflicts in South Sudan; building bridges across the political and social divides; healing and reconciling all South Sudanese, particularly those with the most severe physical and psychological scars; resolving all war –induced community conflicts; and document and establish community narratives of the war and the respective healing and reconciliation journeys.

Core Values

1. Pluralism

· Unity in diversity

· Ethnic and cultural diversity is a gift of god

· Respect for distinctiveness and focus on common ground

· Common set of values

· Tolerance

2. Inclusivity

· Compassionate and love of one an other

3. Peace making

· Peaceful resolution of conflicts between individuals and groups

· Nations is made up of communities weak and strong

· Conflict is a healthy expression

· Conflict is an opportunity to go deeper in a relationship

4. Social justice

· No reconciliation without social justice

· Social justice transcends political philosophy

5. Forgiveness

· Forgiveness sets an individual, community or nation free from the burden of anger, pain, hatred resentment and the desire for revenge

6. National Healing

· Healing the wounds of history through acknowledgement of suffering and injustice

· Collective identity concept important

7. Atonement

· Ultimate reconciliation is the process of finding peace with God

8. Sovereignty

· Acknowledging God´s sovereignty is the bedrock of the faith based perspective. Orientation toward the divine is the heart of the faith- based worldview.

Words of Peace by H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit President of the Republic of South Sudan

He said time and again that “the time for war is over and never again should the brothers and sisters of South Sudan go to war against each other”. He calls on each one of us to take up our personal responsibility to consolidate the peace building as the foundation of a strong and vibrant nation of South Sudan where all of us can be proud to live together as citizens.

H.E. President speech to the National Legislative Assembly on April 23, 2013:

Sum up all HE SAID “As we endeavor to achieve true pace and prosperity, we must learn to reconcile our differences for the betterment of our nation. I believe that a process to address reconciliation is indeed imperative for this country. We must work to heal the wounds created during our long struggle for independence and equality. We must work together to build a nation worthy of the sacrifice of our many martyrs and innocent victims. As President, this is one of my priorities for this young nation. But we must create an inclusive and people driven process in order to achieve true reconciliation.”

Peace and Reconciliation Bodies of the Republic of South Sudan

1. THE PEACE AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

Members:

1. Mr. Chuol Rambang Luoth – Chairperson

2. THE SPECIALIZE COMMITTEE OF PARLIAMENT ON PEACE AND RECONCILIATION

Members:

1. Hon. David Okak Okwier Chairperson

3. THE COMMITTEE FOR NATIONAL HEALING, PEACE AND RECONCILIATION:

Members:

1. Archbishop Daniel Deng Bul -Chairperon

2. Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban. Vice Chairperson

3. Bishop Rudolf Deng Majak – Member

4. Bishop Enock Tombe – Member

5. Modertor Rev. Peter Gai Lual- Member