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Juba: Al-Naeim Mubarak Kuol**
The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), in collaboration with the Joint Committee for the Reconstitution of the Monitoring and Evaluation Commission (R-JMEC) and the Ceasefire and Transitional Security Arrangements Monitoring and Verification Mechanism (CTSAMVM), organized an awareness event under the theme “Building a Better Future Together” to raise awareness among citizens about the issues affecting their lives.
The event took place at St. Thomas Church in the Munuki in Juba, the capital South Sudan, with over 60 local residents in attendance, including the elderly, clergy, youth, and women.
The purpose of the meeting was to provide insight into the status of the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement, the process of drafting a permanent constitution for the country, and how the United Nations peacekeeping mission contributes to these developments.
Cecilia Kiden Ishaq, a 51-year-old teacher in Juba, expressed her enthusiasm for empowering her community through education. She said, “After today’s session, I feel more informed about some of the critical challenges our country is facing at the moment.” She stressed the urgent need to raise public awareness on issues that impact their lives and future.
Mrs. Ishaq recognized the importance of civic participation, including citizens’ involvement in elections. She stated, “Apathy or lack of knowledge enables politicians to avoid accountability.”
Kiden added that local leaders, particularly religious leaders, have a significant role in keeping community members informed about the events happening around them.
This view was echoed by the Political Affairs Officer at the UN Mission in South Sudan, Garang James Akot, who noted that churches often have untapped potential to be influential institutions within South Sudanese society. He said, “Many of their leaders, like their congregants, lack information about key issues, which means that people who get most of their news during church activities are not receiving the necessary knowledge to effectively influence decisions that affect them.”
During the event, participants engaged in discussions and raised questions on a range of topics, including the future of the transitional government, civil society participation in the implementation of the peace agreement, and the importance of holding political leaders accountable.
Mr. Ruben Enago, Head of the Community Outreach Unit at UNMISS, emphasized, “Understanding national issues is crucial for making informed decisions. Our initiatives to communicate with people at the grassroots level go beyond awareness-raising; they aim to empower communities to understand the issues and voice their concerns.”
Cecilia Kiden Ishaq, now more prepared to share these new insights with her young students, hopes to demonstrate that education can make a real difference in South Sudan.
Arop
