By James Innocent
Community leaders, local government officials, and traditional chiefs in Yei River County have concluded a three-day conflict resolution and peacebuilding training aimed at strengthening local efforts to address community disputes and the growing challenge of youth gang activities.
The training, organised by the Organisation for Nonviolence and Development (ONAD), brought together more than 20 participants from local government structures, traditional leadership, and community stakeholders to build practical skills in conflict prevention, mediation, and peaceful coexistence.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, participant Hellen Awate commended ONAD for organising the training, saying it had equipped community leaders with knowledge and practical skills to help reduce gang-related violence and other conflicts across Yei River County.
She said many communities continue to experience recurring disputes that have left residents feeling discouraged, emphasising that the newly acquired skills should now be translated into action.
Awate urged fellow participants to apply what they had learned in their respective communities to promote peace and strengthen social cohesion.
Another participant, Lagu David, a senior citizen in Yei, said community leaders were committed to helping resolve conflicts involving young people through dialogue and mediation.
He called on parents to play a greater role in guiding and supervising their children to help prevent their involvement in criminal activities.
He also appealed to the government to strengthen measures against gang-related crime while promoting community dialogue and rehabilitation initiatives aimed at preventing violence and encouraging peaceful behavior.
ONAD Project Manager Lupai James said the organisation was encouraged by the successful completion of the training, noting that preparations for the workshop began last year despite logistical challenges that delayed its implementation.
He said ONAD plans to continue working with the trained community leaders through 2029 as part of its long-term peacebuilding program in Yei River County.
According to Lupai, youth gangs remain one of the major security concerns in the county and require coordinated community-based responses.
He said the organisation intends to engage some gang groups directly through dialogue and peace education while working with community leaders to identify areas most affected by gang activity.
He encouraged local leaders and government administrators to continue monitoring the security situation and support planned community dialogues aimed at reducing violence.
Yei River County Director for Peacebuilding and Planning, James Wani Banza, urged participants to use the knowledge gained during the training with confidence and integrity despite challenges they may face while serving their communities.
Representing the Yei River County Commissioner at the closing ceremony, Nowel Taban praised participants for their commitment throughout the three-day program.
He said peacebuilding requires collective responsibility among county authorities, local government administrators, traditional chiefs, and community members to prevent and resolve conflicts.
Taban emphasised that strengthening collaboration at all levels of local governance would contribute to lasting peace and stability across Yei River County.
The training concluded on 16 July 2026, with participants reaffirming their commitment to applying the conflict resolution skills acquired during the programme to help reduce violence, strengthen community dialogue and address the growing challenge of youth gang activities in the county.