ACCORD, under its Sudan Conflict Transformation Initiative, held a five-day conflict management training course from 23-27 May 2011 in Durban, South Africa, for key personnel from South Sudan’s Ministry of Peace and CPA implementation. This initiative falls under the Memorandum of Understanding signed between ACCORD and the Ministry of Peace and CPA Implementation in April 2011, and aims to contribute to the achievement of positive peace in South Sudan.
Twenty participants from South Sudan’s Ministry of Peace and CPA Implementation were brought together in Durban, including ten Peace Coordinators from State level and ten Directors, Deputy Directors, Senior Inspectors and Inspectors from the Ministry’s headquarters in Juba. The course enhanced participants’ knowledge and skills in conflict management and resource mobilisation, and the ‘experiential learning methodology’ approach offered participants the space to dialogue on how best to address challenges facing South Sudan. Participants shared their unique contributions of dealing with conflict over decades from both within and outside of South Sudan, and the positive impact that these experiences bring to Africa’s new 54th State. In addition the Course broadened the participant’s mind-set on exploring various non-violent options to conflict resolution.
ACCORD will continue to engage in South Sudan through its Sudan Conflict Transformation Initiative. The Initiative will include activities in both North and South Sudan. In September 2010 ACCORD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of North Sudan.
