Locally-led peacebuilding in South Sudan

Sixty women leaders from Nuer, Dinka, and Murle communities met in Juba for a landmark peace conference. Through storytelling, movement, and dialogue, they confronted cycles of violence, recognised shared challenges, and committed to practical next steps. The gathering embodied women’s determination to reshape peace across Jonglei and GPAA.

Conferences often promise dialogue but deliver hierarchy, ego, and endless flipcharts. Yet, when reimagined as spaces for genuine conversation, they can nurture ecosystems rather than egos. It is possible. Our recent women’s conference was a small step into circles, embodied reflection, dancing, and shared responsibility; sparking connection and ownership.

Four years after the Pieri Agreement, the Seventh ICGS session in Juba reaffirmed community commitment to peace amidst setbacks. While abductee returns stalled, progress on road access and a shared boarding school offered hope. A public film screening and renewed dialogue reinforced the importance of sustained, practical intercommunal cooperation.

'Localisation' has reached celebrity status in the world of jargon. In this two part episode, we look at some of the realities of how this is playing out on the ground, exploring questions of ownership, competency, local capacity and value for money.

In a region long scarred by violence and displacement, the women of Bichibich (in the Nanaam region of Greater Pibor) have named their new community centre Kuyubuza – “I am resting”. More than just a word, it captures their yearning for peace, safety, and a future they can finally begin to rebuild. This is their story.