By Jackson Gaaniko
The Governor of Western Equatoria State, Badagbu Daniel Rimbasa, has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to peacebuilding during a joint monitoring visit by national and international partners assessing ongoing initiatives in the state.
The delegation, comprising representatives from the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA), the Ministry of Peacebuilding, and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), visited Western Equatoria to evaluate the progress and impact of peacebuilding programmes.
The team was led by Jackie Bage and included Fabienne Coomans, Programme Officer at the UN Peacebuilding Fund Secretariat; Deng John, Senior Inspector from the Ministry of Peacebuilding; and Batali Geoffrey, Monitoring and Evaluation
Consultant for UNPBF.
According to Deng John, Western Equatoria has benefited from three major peacebuilding programmes, two of which have been completed while one remains ongoing.
“During this visit, we are engaging directly with beneficiaries, including youth and women’s groups, community-based organisations, and local authorities to assess outcomes and identify gaps,” Bage said.
Governor Rimbasa welcomed the delegation and emphasized the importance of strong collaboration between the state government, national institutions, international partners, and civil society in achieving sustainable peace.
“We are fully aware of the ongoing peace initiatives and have closely followed their progress. Our priority is to make Western Equatoria a stable, secure, and conducive environment for development,” he said.
He highlighted youth engagement, community participation, and human rights awareness as critical pillars for lasting peace.
“Empowering our youth and communities enables them to contribute meaningfully to society while fostering reconciliation and social cohesion,” the governor added.
During the visit, the delegation toured several communities, met local leaders, and reviewed programme activities aimed at reducing conflict, promoting dialogue, and strengthening social cohesion.
Findings from the assessment are expected to guide partners in refining existing programmes and designing future interventions that better respond to the needs of local communities. Governor Rimbasa said the joint effort reflects a shared commitment to peace and stability in the state.
“By working together, we can ensure that the people of Western Equatoria live in security, dignity, and prosperity,” he said