By James Innocent
Twenty traditional chiefs and local government administrators from Yei Town Payam have begun a three-day training on nonviolence and conflict resolution aimed at strengthening local peacebuilding efforts and promoting peaceful coexistence in Yei River County.
The program brings together 20 representatives of traditional leadership and local government to enhance their capacity in mediation, dialogue, and nonviolent approaches to resolving community disputes.
Speaking on behalf of the commissioner of Yei River County, Noel Taban officially opened the workshop and thanked the organisers for bringing together traditional leaders and local administrators despite logistical challenges encountered during the preparations.
He urged participants to fully engage in the training and apply the knowledge and practical skills gained to help address conflicts within their respective communities.
”The success of this training will depend on how the knowledge acquired is translated into practical action that promotes peace, unity, and social harmony across Yei River County,” he said.
Taban also called on parents, traditional leaders, and community members to work together to protect children from violence, criminal gangs, and other harmful influences, describing young people as central to building peaceful and resilient communities.
The Paramount Chief of Yei River County, Joseph Brown, commended ONAD and its partners for their continued support to peacebuilding initiatives in the county.
He said the organisation has contributed to addressing community conflicts through dialogue, mediation, and community engagement and encouraged participants to actively take part in the training so they can return to their communities better equipped to peacefully resolve disputes.
Chief Brown also reflected on the security challenges facing peace practitioners, noting that some ONAD staff members were abducted last year and later released after several days in captivity.
He said the incident underscored the risks faced by organisations working to promote peace and called for continued support for such initiatives.
According to the organisers, the training is designed to deepen participants’ understanding of the root causes of conflict, strengthen practical mediation and nonviolent conflict resolution skills, and improve cooperation among local leaders to promote sustainable peace across Yei River County.
Lupai James, representing ONAD, said the program is intended to empower traditional chiefs and local government administrators with practical tools to prevent conflicts, mediate disputes, and encourage dialogue within their communities.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by ONAD and its partners to strengthen community-based peacebuilding mechanisms in Yei River County through collaboration with local leadership structures.