(Yei) – The Commissioner of Yei River County, Hon. Emmanuel Taban Seme, has officially opened a five day rural development training aimed at strengthening community participation in sustainable development. The training is being held in Yei County and is organized by the County Department of Planning in partnership with the German international development agency, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ).
The program is designed to build the capacity of local communities in planning, initiating, and managing self-help projects that address local challenges. The ultimate goal is to empower citizens to actively participate in rural development and improve their livelihoods.
Speaking at the opening ceremony on June 16, 2025, Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme highlighted the significance of the training in promoting long-term development in rural areas. He noted that community empowerment is key to achieving self-reliance and overcoming common development challenges.
“Such training is crucial for fostering sustainable growth, improving livelihoods, and empowering local communities,” he said. “It can enhance the capacity of individuals and communities to address challenges, utilize resources effectively, and contribute to overall development in rural areas.”
James Wani Banja, Director of the Department of Planning in Yei, encouraged participants to take the training seriously and make the most of the opportunity to gain practical knowledge. “I urge the participants to focus during the training sessions in order to transform their communities,” Banja said. His call emphasized the importance of community-driven change and the active role participants are expected to play.
Representing GIZ, Samuel Taban, the Regional Logo Project Officer, outlined the broader context of the initiative. He said that the project has been implemented in six counties across South Sudan. It includes various capacity-building components aimed at strengthening local administration, civil society institutions, rural development structures, and the functioning of rural councils. “This project has been carried out in six counties of South Sudan with touching intentions focusing on capacity building for local administration, civil society capacity building including rural development and rural council management,” Taban stated.
The training brings together a diverse group of 26 participants, including youth representatives, officials from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, community leaders, members of faith-based organizations, and persons with disabilities. Their inclusion reflects an effort to ensure that all segments of society are involved in the development process and have access to tools that enable them to contribute effectively.
While the training does not involve direct financial disbursement, initiatives like this are part of broader development assistance programs often supported by GIZ and similar organizations. These programs are aimed at promoting stability and development in rural areas, particularly in post-conflict and low-income regions.
Yei County, located in South Sudan’s Central Equatoria State, has long faced development challenges due to years of conflict, underinvestment, and limited access to capacity-building opportunities. Programs such as this one are seen as vital steps toward recovery and long-term development.
By the end of the five day workshop, participants are expected to have developed new skills in planning and managing small-scale rural projects.
(Photo by Christopher Taharir)
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