CIPAD WITH SUPPORT FROM UNDP HAS CONDUCTED A PUBLIC SENSITISATION WORKSHOP ON THE COMMISSION FOR TRUTH, RECONCILIATION AND HEALING (CTRH) IN MANGAR-ANGUEI BOMA OF MANGOK PAYAM IN AWEIL EAST COUNTY, NORTHERN BAHR EL GHAZAL STATE ON 20TH MAY 2022.
In order to enhance public awareness on the commission for truth, reconciliation and healing (CTRH) as stipulated in Chapter 5 of the Revitalized Agreement for the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), CIPAD successfully conducted a public sensitization workshop on the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH) in Mangar-anguei Boma of Mangok Payam in Aweil East County of Northern Bahr el Ghazal state on 20th May 2022 under the theme: ”Towards Trauma Healing and Reconciliation”.
The participants who attended the awareness workshop were 30 (14 females) stakeholders from county, Payam and Boma, women, youths, CSOs, religious leaders, traditional leaders (Chiefs), police, army, community psychosocial support group members, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), Ministry of Peace-building, Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation Commission; and members of Local Peace Committees.
The awareness workshop focused on
- Community briefing on the commission of truth, Healing and Reconciliation (including establishment of CTRH as stipulated in R-ARCSS)
- Mandate and functions of the CTRH
- CTRH Personnel and their appointment procedures
- Rights of victims and witnesses of violence
- Highlight importance of the CTRH in promoting healing and reconciliation in communities in Aweil East County.
During the discussions, some participants appreciate the fact that three (3) commissioners of the commission shall be from other African countries and therefore, they recommended that these three (3) commissioners should not come from the neighboring countries of South Sudan since neighboring countries have interests in South Sudan and some of them were part of the conflict either directly and indirectly.
Other participants were doubting the impartially of the commissioners for the commission and how the commission will work to fairly deliver on the mandate without influence of the executive arm of the government.
Participants recommended that the commission must have branch offices in states and counties as well as Payams for it to function well as mandated.
Participants admitted that there are many victims of the violence of the conflict with their witnesses who are seriously and willing waiting for the establishment of the commission for them to at least have access to their rights and get healed from the wounds of different kinds.
Participants thanked UNDP and Sweden for their supported. Participants promised to educated community members on the knowledge gained during awareness sessions especially their constituencies.
The awareness workshop was technically and financially supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Sweden.
