The Jonglei-based civil society organization (CSO), Intrepid South Sudan (ISS), on Monday officially launched a five-year initiative aimed at promoting peace, democratic governance, and community empowerment in Bor County, one of the regions hardest hit by communal violence.
The project, titled Promoting Peaceful Democratic Transition in Jonglei, is supported by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) and will be renewed annually with its core objectives to foster non-violent conflict resolution, strengthen inclusive governance, and empower women and youth through economic and leadership programs.
Key activities under the initiative include conflict sensitivity training for women, youth, and community leaders, reviewing the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), and economic support for returnees and small-scale entrepreneurs.
At the launch event, Bol Deng Bol, Executive Director of ISS and Chairperson of the Jonglei Civil Society Network, emphasized the importance of grassroots engagement.
“This initiative is designed to support women and youths through training, advocacy, and economic empowerment,” said Bol. “We will also appoint six Youth Peace Ambassadors—one from each payam in Bor, to ensure community ownership of the peace process.”
The launch drew support from government officials, civil society actors, and local leaders. Elijah MochNhom Wuor, Deputy Chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), praised ISS for its transparency and community engagement.
“Too often, development projects operate in secrecy, leaving communities unaware of who is working for them. ISS has set a positive example by involving the people from the outset,” said Elijah.
Local youth and women’s representatives also voiced optimism about the project’s potential impact.
“Communal conflicts have devastated our communities for too long. This project comes at the right time to promote dialogue and reconciliation among our people,” said Ayuen Garang, a youth representative in Bor.
Nyakenya Mach, a member of the Jonglei Women Association, expressed hope that the project would address gender-based violence and the rising involvement of youth in gang activities.
“Many young people are trapped in cycles of violence, and women suffer deeply from GBV. Through education and alternative conflict resolution, we can bring lasting change,” she said.
Initially focused on Bor County, the project is expected to expand to other parts of Jonglei State in future phases, offering a scalable model for peacebuilding in South Sudan’s conflict-prone regions.
