Locally-led peacebuilding in South Sudan

The first part of 2024 Year in Review looked at what happened, and in part II, David Vincent, Minagano Kape and Rob Lancaster look at the frustrations and issues emerging from those experiences... and lessons for 2025.

"This is painful in a way we can't forget."

Mothers bear the emotional and often physical brunt of intercommunal conflict: caught up in cattle raids, subject to gender based violence, kindnapping and the loss of their children.

Livelihood programmes in South Sudan, like POF’s Livelihoods Lab is experimenting with Peace Farms and cattle trading initiatives to bridge peacebuilding to economic pathways by fostering social cohesion and economic empowerment in the same engagements. These community-driven models provide sustainable income, mitigate conflict drivers, and empower marginalised groups, demonstrating how integrating livelihoods with peace interventions transforms communities and supports lasting stability.

Following the Creators of Peace Circle, nine women continued for a further two weeks together to co-design a simple facilitated process that can be used with other women back in their communities. Minagano Kape, Ann Njeri Ndangui and Nyadow Makuach share their reflections on the process with Rob Lancaster, POF Team Leader.

The Peace Cirlce workshop, held from 29 July to 2 August, brought together women from diverse backgrounds in South Sudan to foster connections, share experiences, and explore their roles in peacebuilding. Women from regions with a history of conflict set aside their differences to build unity and sisterhood. The process explored inner peace, forgiveness, and self-awareness as crucial steps toward broader peacebuilding. Participants reflected on their personal growth, gaining the courage to speak up for themselves and their communities.