NCYPD Peace Building Conference - Ulang County (South Sudan)

Dear Friends, Greetings. This is Hon. David Nyang (Chairman & CEO) & Martha Gatkuoch (Head of Youth & Women Empowerment)

Hope Institute (HI) South Sudan.

About Hope Institute:

Hope Institute is a Civil Society Organization (CSO) promoting democracy and good governance through policy and civic engagement, community dialogues and peace building initiatives as well as provision of social services to the vulnerable groups.

Introduction & Background:

South Sudan is the world's youngest and one of the poorest countries. After a hard won independence assisted by the United States Government in July 2011 to mark the end of one of the longest and bloodies conflict in the world from 1955 to 2005, South Sudan descended back to war in 2013 killing tens thousands of people including women and children. The conflict quickly tuned tribal and young men acquired arms to protect themselves aggravating the already existing culture of guns among youth in Nuer areas of Upper Nile State that has had devastating effects. For one, it has led to a perpetual state of violence and insecurity in the area.

Problem Statement - Effects of the Culture of Guns:

The widespread availability of small arms has fueled inter-communal clashes, cattle raids, and revenge attacks, creating a cycle of violence that's difficult to break. This culture of guns has also hindered development and exacerbated poverty. With many youth engaged in armed activities, they're unable to pursue education or economic opportunities, perpetuating a cycle of poverty and dependence on armed groups.

Armed Nuer Youth (Nasir & Ulang) Counties, Upper Nile State

Machine guns are widely available in the hands of civilians...

Even Rocket Propel Grenades (RPG) are commonly available...

Moreover, the culture of guns has eroded traditional authority and social structures. In Nuer communities, elders and traditional leaders have been marginalized, and their authority undermined by the proliferation of guns. The psychological impact on youth cannot be overstated. Growing up in an environment where guns are normalized can lead to desensitization, aggression, and a lack of empathy. This can have long-term consequences for their mental health and well-being.

Justification/Rationale:

To address this issue, it's essential to implement voluntary disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration (DDR) programs, as well as initiatives that promote education, economic empowerment, and cultural revitalization.

Hope Institute (HI) and Kulang Foundation (KF) in collaboration with Nuer Christian Youth for Peace and Development (NCYPD) have been organizing peace-building conference that brings together, armed youth, women groups, traditional authorities, political leaders and faith-based groups to commune, fellowship and dialogue with an aim to sensitize armed youth to voluntarily give up arms to pursue alternative livelihoods opportunities.

Project Goal;

This project aims to contribute to peace building, healing, and reconciliation in South Sudan by empowering armed youth to become agents of positive change through fellowship, awareness creation, dialogue and community engagement. Providing armed youth with a platform to share experiences, build trust and foster relationship and peaceful coexistence among themselves and with their warring neighbours.

Action Plan:

The next annual peace conference and fellowship is scheduled for February 20- 27, 2025 in Ulang County, Upper Nile State (South Sudan). The selection of this county was informed by the vicious cycle of revenge killing that ravaged the county since 2018. the conference is anticipated to be attended by over 100,000 people coming from across the country, Nuer youth representative from the East Africa Region (Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda) as well as Nuer youth representatives from diaspora (Unites States, Canada, Australia and Europe).

Expected Outcome;

This is a Quick Impact Result Oriented project, where at the end of the conference, clan representatives, political leaders, military commanders, traditional authorities and faith based leaders make pledges to commit themselves to peaceful resolutions of the conflicts in their communities and at the country at large.

In the end, it is expected that a large number of armed youth will voluntarily give up arms and seek alternative livelihoods. By working together, we can help break the cycle of violence and create a more peaceful, prosperous future for the youth of Nuer areas in Greater Upper Nile Region (South Sudan).

Arms previously demobilized...

There could be no greater danger to the community than this...

We initiated this project to facilitate our community safety and ensure their return to way of life before the conflict, promote peaceful coexistence with neighbours and enhanced their resilience.

Political Leaders...

Military Commanders from warring sides...

Local Traditional Leaders...

Faith Based Leaders...

Funds Utilization:

The funds will be utilized to cover for logistics (transportation, feeding) of the conference participants and other essentials for a period of one week. The exercise usually covered about $100,000 budget with Hope Institute contributing $30,000 mobilized from friends and Good Samaritans.

Cost Breakdown: