The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has called for public conferences to be conducted by the transitional government in order to inform the public on the ongoing constitutional making process in the country.
“As South Sudan election is approaching there is need to organize intra-youth conference, community dialogues and more workshops to disseminate the constitutional making process, it’s the roles of the civil society organizations, media and peace partners to conduct more workshop particularly on R-ARCCS, constitutional making process and election process,” said Hiroko Hirahara, UNMISS Head of Field Office in Bentiu during meeting with civil society groups in Bentiu on Friday.
Both sides discussed progress and challenges of implementing the 2018 revitalized peace deal, the recently extended peace roadmap, civic education, and constitution making processes.
The meeting was also attended by representatives of trade unions, teachers, and union of persons with disabilities, artist union, and faith-based groups.
Hirahara said UNMISS will support civil society organizations and peace partners to conduct dialogues purposely to reconcile warring communities as well as community ahead of election.
South Sudan is supposed to hold election in 2024 as stipulated in the roadmap agreed upon in August 2021.
“We have started community dialogue in Southern unity, and we will continue to conduct more peace conferences as you demanded, the first priority is Mayom County and Abiemnhom County peace conference,” said Hirahara.
She added that UNMISS will also organize intra-Unity state and Warrap state peace conference in the aftermath of holding peace dialogue between Panyijiar community and Lakes state community.
Daniel Dak Gai, head of civil society organizations in Unity State, said there is need to conduct bi- weekly meetings with state ministers, MPs, and police to overcome several pending issues in the roadmap, civic education, freedom of expression and freedom of political space ahead of the election.
“We are facing a lot of challenges in terms of disseminating peace messages to the community because of intimidation by security organs, UNMISS should organize a bi-weekly meeting between CSOs and state ministers,” said Gai.
