Photo by Abdulrasheed Yakubu, UNAMID.
EL DAEIN - Enhancing community stabilization and peaceful coexistence amongst pastoralist and sedentary communities in border areas was the aim of a UNAMID-supported workshop in El Daein, the capital of East Darfur.
More than 70 people took part in the five-day capacity-building workshop on Cross Border Peace and Cooperation, which was organized in partnership with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and sponsored by the European Union.
Participants were drawn from the Government of Sudan, the Native Administration, rural court judges, the police, Community Policing Volunteers, women and youth groups, and community leaders.
The workshop used interactive and participatory modes of facilitation, drawing on practical examples, scenarios and work groups. Training focused on improved leadership, rule of law and security at the community level, along with proactive resolution of conflicts.
William Joof, UNAMID’s Acting Head of Office in Sector East, said that the partnership between the Mission, IOM and the European Union is a positive approach towards supporting the capacity development needs of local communities.
The workshop was tailored to not only enhance the capacity of participants, but also to provide networking opportunities, said Mr. Joof.
Ibrahim Musa, the Humanitarian Aid Commissioner for East Darfur, welcomed the workshop, which was timely given the large numbers of refugees currently present in the region.
Mr. Musa urged participants to make the most of the skills acquired during the training in their daily activities.
El Fadil Madibo, the Deputy Nazir of Rezigat, underscored the need for regular workshops to promote mutual understanding and to provide the Native Administration with skills that will guide them in addressing conflicts.