A call for peace: Meet the South Sudanese refugees upholding peace in Nyumanzi settlement
The least they need is peace! South Sudanese refugees flee their country due to war. Majority of these come to Uganda, a country that hosts more than a million of them and is considered peaceful. “We fled for our lives, in search for peace and safety and we have been privileged to find these in Uganda.” Says Moses Nyang, a South Sudanese refugee and Peace Promoter in Nyumanzi settlement.
South Sudanese refugees have lost some of the most important things in their lives like; their homes, relatives/friends, and property due to war. The lack of peace in their country has become a lifetime reminder to them of how important peace is. With this, making and maintaining peace has become a priority for South Sudanese refugees living in Uganda’s settlements.
To promote peaceful coexistence among refugees and between the refugee and host communities, refugees identify and select Peace Promoters who are supposed to; prevent conflicts as well as manage and resolve conflict peacefully in the given communities.
“They sensitize the public about peaceful coexistence, how to peacefully manage and solve conflict as well as where to report such issues.” Says Edwin Odur-Luru, a Project Officer responsible for peace building and conflict management in Adjumani district’s refugee settlements. “We also suggest community activities that can enhance peaceful coexistence like games, for instance football leagues. These unite people and also provide a platform for us to deliver peace message.” Adds Nyang.
Peace promoters: The conflict fixers
With Peace Promoters in the settlement, refugees have people to listen and fix their worries, conflicts peacefully. “We receive reports from complainants, schedule meetings where we invite conflicting parties and hold dialogues through which they suggest solutions.” “Where there is conflict, we restore peace which is the best interest for all conflicting parties.” Adds Mabior Akuei, a Peace Promoter in Nyumanzi settlement.
After solving a conflict, an agreement is drafted by Peace Promoters and is signed by the conflicting parties, agreeing to never conflict again about the same subject.
In case of conflict between the refugee and host community, refugee Peace Promoters liaise with host local leaders like village chairpersons to peacefully come to a mutual solution. “In case of complex issues, we invite representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister responsible for refugee affairs and Police to manage the situation.” Says Akuei.
Peace Promoters refer complex issues to responsible authorities
Well as Peace Promoters aim at solving conflict in communities amicably, there are some issues they refer to responsible authorities like the Uganda Police Force, Village Elders and Humanitarian Organizations like the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) with which they work.
Criminal offences are some of the major issues referred to police, for instance rape, defilement, aggravated violence among others. “Some cases are above our management because they are gross, against Uganda’s law and therefor, it’s the responsibility of the Police and Uganda’s Judiciary System to adjudicate on such.” Says Nyang.
While responsible authorities take on some cases, Peace Promoters follow up and support them whenever necessary.
Peace Promoters offer assistance to both complainants and the defendants
On receiving complaints, peace promoters assess the situation and where necessary, identify physical and emotional damages which they report to Police and Health Centres. While authorities take on the cases, Peace Promoters support both the complainants and defendants with emotional support through counselling, home or police cell visits.
“We encourage survivors receiving medical assistance to take their drugs as prescribed by medical personnel and monitor perpetrators to make sure they don’t cause more harm to survivors.” Says Akuei. “While we follow up with Police and the Judiciary system to ensure that justice is served, we also reach out to defendants/perpetrators through counselling to ensure they become good people to the community at large.” Adds Nyang.
In Adjumani district’s settlements, Peace Promoters are trained by LWF to ensure peaceful coexistence among refugees as well as between the refugee and host communities. They work with other committees like Child Protection, Refugee Welfare and Youth Pyramids to uphold peace in their communities.
UNHCR and USA’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) fund activities aimed at creating and upholding peaceful coexistence in Adjumani district’s refugee settlements.
