CAPaD, Canadian Embassy launch peace initiative to rebuild trust between Pibor and Bor
By Samuel Yuang
The Christian Agency for Peace and Development (CAPaD), in partnership with the Canadian Embassy in Juba through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI), has launched a peace building initiative aimed at restoring trust and promoting peaceful coexistence between Murle and Dinka Bor youth.
The project focuses on peace and security, with a strong emphasis on conflict prevention and sustainable peace building.
By engaging young people and local communities, the initiative seeks to address long-standing tensions linked to cattle raiding, road ambushes, and communal violence, encouraging dialogue, cooperation, and the use of cattle as a source of livelihood rather than conflict.
Speaking during a peace symposium held in Juba under the theme “Restoring Trust, Promoting Peaceful Coexistence,” Diang Bichok, Acting Director for Planning, Peace Monitoring and Evaluation at the National Ministry of Peace Building, called for renewed commitment to unity and dialogue.
Bichok noted that recurring incidents of cattle raiding, retaliatory attacks, and insecurity continue to disrupt livelihoods, social relations, and freedom of movement.
He attributed the conflicts to historical grievances, weak communication, and the manipulation of youth identities during periods of instability.
Despite these challenges, he emphasized that South Sudanese communities share strong values of unity and cultural diversity, urging citizens to nurture peace through honesty, empathy, and mutual understanding.
He commended CAPaD and its partners, including the Canadian Embassy, for supporting grassroots peace initiatives.
CAPaD Executive Director Peter Malith stressed that lasting peace must begin with individuals and communities themselves.
He stated that peace cannot be sustained where divisions persist or where people fail to commit to common national interests.
Malith highlighted CAPaD’s partnership with the Canadian Embassy as key to strengthening grassroots engagement, trust-building, and social cohesion, particularly in fragile areas such as Mongiri and Bor.
Meanwhile, David Jiji Lomodong, Coordinator of the Greater Pibor Administrative Area, said peace dialogues held in Mongiri brought together civilians, youth, and members of the military to address cattle raiding, child abduction, and road ambushes.
He urged communities to take responsibility for peace, focus on root causes of conflict, and implement agreed resolutions, emphasizing that peace requires action, unity, and collective responsibility.
