High-level delegation visits Yambio to discuss peace and development
A high-level delegation led by Alain Noudehou, head of the United Nations humanitarian operations in South Sudan, have visited Yambio to assess challenges and opportunities for peace and development in the Western Equatoria region.
The delegation, which included several donors, ambassadors and representatives from UN agencies and non-governmental organizations, stayed for a day and a half and met with local authorities and a variety of civil society organizations, traders, faith-based groups and community leaders.
Mr. Noudehou, who is also the Deputy Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in South Sudan, explained that the purpose of the visit was to evaluate what has been done to achieve peace and development over the last few years and how the international community can continue to assist the local government.
“Our visit is an opportunity to identify gaps of engagement so that we, together with the government, can come up with an effective partnership to achieve recovery and resilience,” he said.
The governor of the area, Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, expressed his gratefulness for the robust support shown and given by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UN agencies and other development partners, adding that peace has now been largely prevailing for eleven months.
“We need to continue the change from a culture of war into one of peace, and look for partners to support us to enable our community to develop and to embark on agriculture,” the governor said.
Mr. Rimbasa stressed that his priority is to maintain peace in the region and continue the process of reintegration of those armed forces who are yet to reunite with the SPLA. Equally important, the governor said, is to increase agricultural activities to guarantee food security not only in Western Equatoria but also in other parts of the country.
To further develop the quality of life of the people in the region, Mr. Rimbasa advocated for the establishment of vocational training centres, micro finance programmes and schools, particularly in areas which have been largely abandoned because of the conflict in the country.
In meetings with a variety of key stakeholders, everybody agreed that working together in a nimble, proactive and transparent manner is the best way to ensure durable peace and continuous development.