Yei Residents Appeal for Justice to Promote Peace and Reconciliation Efforts

The appeal emerged during a one-day civic education dialogue organized by the Centre for Inclusive Governance, Peace and Justice (CIGPJ) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid over the weekend. The event brought over 200 community members, local leaders, civil society, security officials and government representatives to discuss truth-telling, reconciliation and justice in South Sudan. Participants stressed that civilians continue to bear the brunt of conflict and urged armed actors to respect and protect communities. Concerns were also raised about insecurity affecting women and girls, with calls for collective action to address ongoing violence and hardship. Facilitators emphasized that preserving evidence of abuses is critical to holding perpetrators accountable. They encouraged citizens to document violations carefully, noting that such records could strengthen future legal processes. Local officials acknowledged progress in handling criminal cases but admitted that weak enforcement remains a major challenge. At the same time, citizens expressed frustration over delays in establishing key transitional justice bodies, including the Commission for Truth, Reconciliation and Healing (CTRH),  under the 2018 peace agreement. The dialogue concluded with calls for accelerated justice reforms, enhanced civic education and stronger collaboration between communities, civil society and government institutions to advance peace and accountability across South Sudan.