(UNITY STATE) – “I lost my husband and three children,” says Tabitha Nyaluak, a resident of Panyijiar County in Unity State. Despite her pain, she insists that the only way forward is through dialogue and reconciliation.
“We have no way out of repeated conflict if we don’t connect with each other,” she told a team of United Nations peacekeepers.
Tabitha is one of many in Panyijiar whose lives have been devastated by air strikes and ongoing violence. The team from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) met with several locals who expressed deep fatigue and emotional exhaustion from the endless cycle of conflict.
“We are tired of hearing about better days while reliving the worst of our past,” Tabitha said. “Dialogue is critical. Without it, we are trapped in a loop of suffering. Violence only leads to more violence.”
Hiroko Hirahara, Director of the Civil Affairs Division at UNMISS, voiced a similar view.
“To protect civilians, we help broker peace agreements led by communities themselves,” she explained.
Panyijiar County has not only faced air attacks but has also endured recurring cattle related conflicts with neighbouring counties in Lakes State. In response, UNMISS supported a peace dialogue in September last year between Panyijiar and several counties including Yirol East, Yirol West, Rumbek East, Rumbek Centre, and Rumbek North, all areas that frequently experience conflict.
The meeting resulted in a 21 point peace agreement, with communities identifying their own solutions to end local violence.
“Some actions, like ending cattle raids, can begin now,” said Ms Hirahara. “But others, such as setting up joint border patrols, will require support from both state and national governments.”
UNMISS continues to support peace by building the capacity of security forces and supporting local initiatives. However, Ms Hirahara stressed that peace must come from within the communities themselves.
“Real solutions come from people who understand what it means to lose everything. They are the true peacebuilders,” she added.
Women are also taking a leading role. Nyaroom Ruei, a women’s leader in Panyijiar, emphasised that political reconciliation at the national level must complement community efforts.
“We are doing our part. But our leaders must do theirs. Without honest national dialogue, peace in South Sudan remains a distant dream.”
She called on the UN and other international partners to ensure that the concerns of communities like Panyijiar are heard by top political actors.
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