GREATER AWEIL

DIALOGUE REPORT

Mabil, Wanyjok, Aweil East

Table of Contents ………………………………………………………………….. 1

2.2 County Follow up Mechanisms Developed ……………………... 8

7.0 Appendix …………………………………………………………………… 18

This is a record of the history breaking Greater Aweil Dialogue which took place between June 7 and 12 2003. The conference was held at Mabil the Headquarters of the Aweil East County. BYDA and Aweil Community Welfare Association (ACWA) organized it in collaboration with the Sudan Peace Fund, PACT. The Conference brought over 475 delegates from the four Aweil Counties. They were selected from all levels of leadership in each County.

The representation of community groups was broad. Representatives were drawn from among women, youth (both young men and young women). The representative also included local traders as well as traders, church leaders and community leaders of Miseiriyya and Razeigat origin, Aweil farmers and livestock keepers, local traditional Chiefs, the SPLM/SPLA and the Aweil community in Diaspora (see Appendix 1for a full annotation of representatives).

The conference sought to promote awareness among the people of Aweil of their ability to solve their own problems. It also sought to expand the local capacity for peace building and development. In addition the conference sought to develop mechanisms for monitoring and responding to critical needs and interests of the communities, especially in regard to their interactions and relationships with the Miseiriyya and Razeigat neighbours in the four Counties in Aweil.

During the Conference it was observed that certain words used as names by each of the communities were not to be used in the conference (it was not easy to keep to the preferred names but delegates tried all the same). The names included "Jur" in reference to the Luo, "Jienge" for the Jieng (Dinka) and "Bagara" used in naming the Miseiriyya and Razeigat. In this record the preferred names emphasized at the conference are used.

The purpose of the conference was to review, analyze and critically reflect on the situation of Aweil then explores options for the future. The key themes discussed in the conference were as follows:

Status review of each County

Reflection on relationships and interactions of Aweil community within, with its neighbours, and with other neighbours (the North)

Repatriation, resettlement and rehabilitation of returnees and displaced persons

Promoting and monitoring human rights

Promoting participation and decision-making at community level

Good governance and participatory democracy

Reflection on Emerging Issues and Challenges Aweil community faces

Review of key priorities for Aweil

Reflection on Way Forward.

These themes were based on a consultative process between the delegates and local leadership.

BYDA and ACWA engaged the services of a professional conference facilitator who helped design and implement the conference process. Two conference secretaries documented the process. The conference process was participatory with short introductory inputs and then thematic or topical discussions in 12 small groups. The discussions were based on tasks designed for the purpose. The small groups used were contextual to the conference situation.

The facilitation team identified leaders for the small groups. They were drawn across the body of representatives in the conference. Each group had the opportunity to choose their own secretary to document discussion outputs and then report. Outputs from the small groups were discussed in plenary. A wide range of suggestions on how to deal with challenges and threats faced by Aweil community was provided. These suggestions were used to develop summaries of issues generated by the conference.

Key community leaders, men and women from all echelons of leadership in Aweil and the Diaspora attended the conference. They had an opportunity to address the delegates in the conference at different levels and on different issues. On each key theme, local leaders had opportunity to address the conference and bring alive the realities faced by the community.

Open plenary sessions were conducted during which delegates shared any insights and "words of wisdom". These were received with enthusiasm and all levels of delegates had occasion to share in the open forums.

A broad range of issues was covered in the conference. Delegates from the SPLA gave unreserved apologies to the Aweil community any wrongs committed during operations. A similar expression was given to Miseiriyya and Razeigat community as well. The local leaders, men and women and the local authority repeatedly made calls for unity among members of the Aweil community.

The Miseiriyya and Razeigat delegates on their part offered their apologies on their own behalf to Aweil community for wrongs committed during raids in Aweil Counties. They said that they were aware that the raids were part of a traditional culture in their community and others (GOS) exploited that. They spoke of having seen things differently due to the conference. The representative said that he and his colleagues had a message to take back home to create awareness aimed at stopping the practice of traditional of raiding.

The youth particularly gave a well-developed statement and they challenged the conference on issues of Education, HIV/AIDS awareness alongside peace and civic awareness building. The women delegates were keen on internal local peace building, the issues of abduction, and livelihood. From the Diaspora, issues of peace building unity, reconciliation, preventing and monitoring human rights. The local authority and traditional leadership was keen on issues of peace building unity, economic development social and community dev elopement.

The conference demonstrated 4enthusiasm particularly when the dialogue focussed on how Aweil might address issues of participation in leadership and governance by election and decision-making. The applied when discussing education and skills development among the youth, repatriation of abducted persons, food security and livestock health, land rights and borders to resources vital for livelihood, revival of the economy, taxation and trade.

The dialogue covered these issues leading to outputs and suggestions developed by groups and individual delegates. The facilitation team analysed these outputs and suggestions and identified five key themes as follows:

The conference recognized the tremendous work and efforts done by the SPLM/SPLA and local leaders on security and peace matters with the Miseiriyya and Razeigat. The delegates asserted repeatedly that there is need for peace in Aweil beginning at household and community level. They suggested that regular meeting of the leadership in each Aweil County, and across the counties at one level should take place.

The conference floated the idea for the leaders to create a forum of Aweil leaders that meets regularly with leaders of the Miseiriyya and Razeigat for addressing common interests and deal with any disputes. Finally the conference discussed and agreed on the need for an annual dialogue of the community that rotates in the Counties.

The conference urged Miseiriyya and Razeigat to build on the current moment of peace and desist from further militia practices in the interest of promoting peace. Aweil "extends a hand of cooperation and good relations to our neighbours" remarked a local leader.

The conference identified the opportunity for building on existing strengths of resilient tolerance, patience as well as common aspirations for unity and peace. The idea for creating County peace committees that would promote information sharing for better understanding, civic awareness and fostering unity was discussed and accepted.

The conference appealed to the current leadership to revive the traditional mechanisms and system for appeal regarding border disputes with Miseiriyya and Razeigat neighbours.

The conference heart repeatedly the violations committed by the militia in abduction, destruction of property, looting and violations committed by the SPLA during operations in the past. It was noted that conflict inflicted on communities has inflicted social, cultural and economic suffering and impoverishment.

The conference discussed the issue of abduction at length. It was noted that anyone forced out of their fatherland by militia or any other means into another location to work and provide services for free was a slave. The war-like invasions of the militia were said to be violations against humanity. The conference noted that abduction as a form of violation to the human rights of those who were abducted. The Aweil community and the abducted persons therefore had a case to press any and all agents, collaborators and perpetrators who facilitate abduction in any form and at any stage and level.

The conference heard of the efforts of tracing and repatriation of abducted children. Delegates observed that although what was going on in the tracing, and identification of those abducted was commendable, children and abducted persons who were positively identified should be returned immediately without having to wait.

The Commissioners shared two of the most serious challenges they faced in regard to abduction. They reported that the returnees were so many at times yet the Counties have had no resources for rehabilitating and resettling the returnees. The Commissioners further reported that, the list of names of persons that were abducted was still very large. In Aweil West for instance there was a list of 11,000 persons still missing on account of abductions. AS a result there was pressure for the families of those whose relatives were abducted to obtain an answer on how and when the abductees would be found. Some delegates had examples of how they rescued their own relatives at great peril.

It was observed that although there were some form of records in each County concerned, the documentation procedure should be improved and strengthened with a view to develop evidence about human rights violations in Aweil. The delegates felt that some cases on violations against humanity and human rights should be pressed in court with effectively documented evidence as a way of breaking the cycle of abduction and slavery. The conference endorsed the idea of a County human rights committee that would be concerned with prevention monitoring and documentation of human rights violations.

It was determined that each County should have a committee to promote awareness, monitor and systematically document human rights violations.

Despite the commitment and effort of the SPLM/SPLA to develop a functioning local authority, civil leadership structures and the judiciary, the conference was reminded that those in power and leadership were not accountable, transparent and effective in delivering what the communities expected of them. The conference heard of the aspirations to participate in the selection of leaders, and to have an active part in decision making by the people of Aweil.

Delegates spoke openly of leaders not being democratic and consultative. The leaders were chided for being "power-mongers", instead of empowering communities. They questioned the motive of not being accountable and transparent but instead, leaders were seen to be arrogant and users of threats. Some leaders "boasted of having been appointed from above to rule the people". In addition, delegates talked of communities not being informed and made aware of important issues communities wished to know from leaders.

The conference was informed of the infancy the current civil authority is in. Issues of inadequate human and financial resources were raised as hampering the local authorities. Delegates felt that some leaders used this more as an excuse. Moreover, the same problems in the civil authority were experienced at the level of the traditional authority as well. Women delegates spoke articulately of the need to give out roles and involve women in all levels of decision making as active participants not as a representation but a natural course of equity in the affairs of society.

The issue of division of powers was raised. Delegates noted that the majority of leaders in the civil administration offices were also commanders, "there is no civil leader at County or Payam level nor is there any woman", remarked a delegate. It was observed that there exists a dilemma in leadership in that, a commander is a civil leader, a representative of the political machinery and at times is also a judge all in one. "There is too much power in too few hands," observed a delegate.

Delegates spoke of a range of improvements in governance in the following areas:

The conference reflected on the impoverished state of Aweil caused in the immediate history of conflict. The impact of looting, destruction of property and the threat and insecurity that were thus caused affected productivity in all spheres of life in Aweil. Despite this Aweil has fertile lands and a large population that could support agricultural production trade and other economic activities.

With the relative peace experienced since 2002, the social service sector was slowly beginning to recover. The Commissioners shared some statistics on the number of schools, health units and number of development activities such as, ox-plough training for food security, livestock vaccination programs and emergency relief supplies. These were supported by NGOs.

Delegates addressed the issue of development from within. "We say we have a rich land, yet we keep on asking donors for relief, why are we not organized for development such that those who come to help us find us already on the way to development?" asked a delegate.

Each County developed its own development priorities that were included in a County action plan. The County action plans were to be used by the Steering Team to develop a strategic plan for Aweil.

The conference was told of how the "peace markets" have improved since the time the cease-fire came into force. One visible improvement was the interaction of traders from the Miseiriyya and Razeigat with the Aweil communities. These traders were visibly represented by a group of ten members of the Miseiriyya and Razeigat community in the conference.

There was freedom of movement and any difficulties such as attacks do not occur within Aweil but rather outside of the Aweil and Miseiriyya and Razeigat community areas along the trade routes. Security has improved in Aweil and this has encouraged more people to revive agricultural production. With new techniques such as the use of the ox-plough Aweil would be expected to recover its food security lost to conflict and draught.

The delegates spoke of the need for improvement of the quality of roads, extension of the road network between counties and an increase of airstrips. It was observed that the prices of goods would be reduced if traders were able to move goods faster and also have access to different countries for sourcing goods. The conference floated the idea of establishing trade links with such countries as Kenya and Uganda and link up with reliable businesses that could support with warehousing for bulk purchase to the Aweil market.

The traders expressed some of the challenges they encounter apart from access routes and sourcing of goods. The issues of a common currency and access to credit were raised and discussed at length. A number of the traders were aware of the enterprise development program implement in other regions and counties other than Aweil. The conference was informed of a fund for Northern Bahr el Ghazal earmarked for trade development. The traders wondered why they or women groups, did not have access to credit as was the case elsewhere in southern Sudan yet the same agencies implementing the trade development projects were operating in Aweil. The conference was informed that some feasibility studies were under way and that support would be forthcoming.

Based on these themes, the four Counties held consultation meetings to identify their priorities, develop action plans and recommendations on how they proposed to monitor and follow up their action plans.

The Counties selected small committees to spearhead peace building, protection and monitoring of human rights, and repatriation, resettlement and rehabilitation of returnees. These sub-committees would work under County Monitoring Committees.

Thirty-six persons were elected to form the County Monitoring Committees. Among these were 10 women and 14 young people 12 young men and 2 girls. Each County Monitoring Committee elected a chairperson and secretary. Among those elected for these roles were six women. Aweil East has its County Monitoring Committee led by a woman as the chairperson and the secretary as well. Aweil North has a woman as the secretary. Each County elected three persons to represent the County in the Steering Team.

The Steering Team elected its Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Vice Secretary. A woman from Aweil South was elected Chair the Steering Team. These elections were as significant as they were historic. The conference had deliberated on the need for communities to be involved in the selection of their own leaders and this was exemplified in the process they conference undertook to identify the membership of these two key follow-up committees.

The Greater Aweil Dialogue was historic in that it brought the community and neighbours of Aweil together as a community for the very first time in their recent history to discuss issues. The diverse conference was attended representation of all peoples in Aweil, some of whom would otherwise not have met.

The people of Aweil have a tradition of inter-communal consultation, which should be built upon and traditional ways of resolving disputes can coexist with modern systems promoting peace and building linkages with Miseiriyya and Rezeigat communities.

The dialogue provided a forum for the community, traditional leaders, local authority, military, and the Meseiriyya and Rezeigat neighbours and to articulate their concerns and to search for solutions to the issues of insecurity, abductions, peace building and development.

Elections to the steering and monitoring committees during the conference demonstrated that mechanisms for popular participation in decision-making and in the choice of leaders could not be taken for granted by the existing leadership. This approach and process needs to be openly and proactively developed to promote peoples’ power and voice in governance, leadership and administration of community affairs.

It was observed that the voice of the ordinary community members, women, and youth should be proactively given space to inform and influence the quality of debate and decisions to continuously build critical dialogue and a healthy diversity in reflection on community needs and identify clear roles and responsibilities for them in community affairs.

Women’s involvement in the dialogue proceedings was limited. Few women shared in the plenary discourse. It was noted that they lacked skills on how to present issues as well as how to focus on the most critical. But one cannot wait till able women are found. Informal discussions indicate that women and youth had fairly strong views about the issues discussed.

It would be imperative that capacity building for ordinary community members, women, and youth be taken more proactively through civic education programs so as to prepare them to participate significantly without leaving them as figures present (especially women) but with no capacity to add value especially in decision making, debates and dialogue of community importance.

Documentation of human rights abuses and violation gains humanity such as abductions and slavery exist. A community-based mechanism for documentation and reporting with a view to pressing charges on those involved as agents, collaborators and perpetrators.

The process for tracing, identification, repatriation, rehabilitation and development of those affected needs to be reviewed so as to facilitate Counties to carry out sustainable development. Advocacy and lobbying case studies might be shared with the media and relevant international agencies that have capacity to help the cause of southern Sudan for towards peace.

Support for the three sub-committees, the Monitoring Committee and the Steering Team, which emanated from the conference, would be needed. The capacity of each would need to be developed towards best results in performance. This would facilitate the maintenance of interest, morale and energies for follow-up.

Each County had the opportunity to use the five key themes to develop its own priorities and an action plan. In addition each County elected its own Monitoring Committee of nine persons. Each Committee then elected a Chair person and Secretary. The four County Monitoring Committees elected three representatives to form a Steering Team of twelve. The Steering Team elected its own Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary and Vice Secretary. In addition, each County elected three small committees for promoting human rights monitoring, repatriation and resettlement of returnees, as well as for peace building and civic education respectively.

4.1 Role of the County Monitoring Committees

1. Implement County action plans

2. Inform the community through out the County about the outputs and action plans

based on the Greater Aweil Dialogue.

3. Sharing information with the authorities, and civil society

4. Support and facilitate the sub-committees to take up and their implement the roles.

5. Continually checking how and when County plans derived from the Conference are implemented.

6. Organize and coordinate meetings regularly to develop updates for the Steering Committee.

50% of resources used by NGOs on this issue are used for the identification and repatriation while 50% would be used for resettlement and rehabilitation of those already in Aweil and those on the coming. The resettlement and rehabilitation program should be community based and focusing on education, livelihood and health needs in an integrated and a sustainable manner. However, Aweil people living in neighbouring countries as refugees and in government held towns as IDPS, who are willing to return home but have no accesses, means or mandate, should be facilitated by concerned authorities such as UNHCR, UN, NGOS and SPLM/A authorities. Those returnees should also be involved in rehabilitation and resettlement program.

In regard to leadership and governance the conference recommended to the local authority that there should be an increase in the number of County Secretaries and administrators who are not necessarily military people and that holders of these roles be chosen democratically through election processes by the community and in their version of being professional civil servants they are therefore should be transferable within civil authority system in Aweil counties. In addition, it’s recommended by the conference to civil authority that female participation , active involvement and representation in local government administration and in general public office system should be given serious consideration as one of the vital processes in empowering women and promotion of gender balance in the society.

In regard to increasing local productivity in agriculture and livestock, the conference appreciated what the NGOs have done in the four Aweil Counties and recommended that the civil society, NGOs and the local authority work with the community towards community based and sustainable socio-economics development of Aweil’s area and people. These partners in development should coordinate theirs programs focusing on bellow areas:

Provision of improved seeds and wider variety of crops; facilitation of training of farmers and extension workers in an improved cultivation methods and innovations; Exploration of wider market for agricultural produces and livestock; Provision of credit and loan facility for farmers as well as re-establishment of a cost sharing scheme for livestock health program; Provision of improved agriculture tools/machines such as tractors, oxplough, irrigation pumps generators and digging tools.

In regard to the issue of resource sharing and border disputes, it was recommended that a joint committee for monitoring and settling border disputes be established with leaders from Aweil and the Miseiriyya and Rezeigat communities meeting regularly but at least once annually.

In regard to the issue of reviving the economy, the conference recommended to the local authority that the economic and commercial institutions such as common local currency policy be implemented in the region and the whole of New Sudan; provision of loan and credit facility for traders and cooperatives, youth and women; and establishment of cooperative’s and saving’ banks; all in an attempt to boss economics prosperity of Aweil people. Also it’s recommended that there is an urgent need to revive devastated economics projects in the area specially "Pongo Aweil" Wood processing factory project that is to provide the community with construction and furniture materials. Aweil Rice Scheme to be revived and extended to all counties of Aweil.

In regard to access routes, the conference recommended that each County must re-establish the main access and good road (routes) into and from the County, and increase the number of and improved the airstrips (at least each county should have one all seasons airstrip). In addition, the county’s authority can also explores waterway routes to facilitate river transport using motorboats during the rainy seasons in and outside the county. Moreover, the SPLM/A authorities was asked to insure security for the improvement of traders, goods and civilians in Aweil area, specially along the Northern borders lines along Kiir River and in the region.

In regard to services for development it was recommended by the conference to the civil authority that social policies review forums should be re-introduced, design, implemented and facilitated for reviewing of social policies, customary laws and traditions, which can be used to re-examine defused culture, customs and tradition by the civil war. Good example in case is the Dinka’s popular conference known as "Waathalel Dinka customary laws conference" which should be review in order to poster social and cultural development, specially marriage and family institution that is seriously threaten by the war causes and effects as well as the re-examining of the intermarriage between different sections of Dinka tribe and other tribes such as Lou, etc.

In regard to community education development the conference recommended to the civil authority, civil society, NGOs and concerned bodies that the promotion of quality formal education in Aweil area should begin immediately by reviving devastated three senior secondary schools namely Nyamlel, Wanyjok, and Malekalel. These schools project need urgent reviving, refurbishment and provision of school materials and supplies to facilitate the provision of a higher level of education to those who complete basic and primary education, by the beginning of year 2003 academic cal lender. For the purpose of producing skilled manpower, it’s recommended by the conference that technical/vocational training centre needs to be established at least one centre in Aweil area with full support from the region’ and national’ authorities. In addition, the conference highly recommended the promotion of girls' education besides adult education program. Also sponsorship of secondary school graduates to higher institutions education in East African Countries can be considered.

The conference recommended to the civil authority, civil society and the NGOs regarding the integrated health program in the area that the existing health facilities should be upgraded and establishment of at least one well equipped referral hospital in Aweil areas for the health betterment of the community. As well, the establishment of nursing and health training centre in the area that significantly contributes to capacity building program and availability of skilled health manpower. As well the provision of clean drinking water is view as a priority need of the community. In addition, professional Doctors are encouraged to set up private health facilities.

In regard to income generating activities the conference recommended the civil authority and NGOs that small businesses such as vegetable farming and food and goods shops, carpentry and metal making workshops and cottage industries such as soap making, oil processing, grinding machine, tailoring and sewing projects should be supported through the provision of soft loan and credit facilities that shall benefit women, youth, cooperatives, traders, disable, widows and self-help groups. However, the civil authority are asked to remove trade barriers of heavy taxation within Aweil counties and in the region and rather create favourable trading conditions that shall promote commerce and trade in the area resulting in empowerment of the traders marketing of affordable commodities.

Concerning infrastructures development in the area, the conference recommended to the civil authority and NGOs that they should start constructing permanent and concrete buildings and upgrades their existing facilities. NGOs operating in the area are asked to build their compounds and facilities using permanent building materials of burned red bricks and stones, semen, congregated iron sheets and tiles, etc. in order to contributed towards area development. However, local authorities are asked to address the issue of land ownership for the NGOs if they are to effectively involve in the long-term infrastructures development in the area. On the other hand the local authority are encouraged to begin development of infrastructures such as schools, hospitals, government offices, markets and houses using concrete building materials through the use of little available resources. It’s upon the shoulders of the civil authority to immediately start towns surveying and planning to ease infrastructures, especially housing and shops, development.

Concerning the establishment of community centre social modal, the conference recommended to the civil society, civil authority and the NGOs that all four Aweil counties should be assisted to establish at least one multi-purpose community centre in order to carry out functions of training, workshops and seminars, sports and recreational activities, social ceremonies and information dissemination.

Concerning partnership in local development, the conference recommended to the civil society, civil authority, ACWA, NGOs and stakeholders that there is a need for cooperation and coordination of developmental activities and planning for sustainable impact and development. They are encouraged to hold a workshop for designing five years area development plan and thereafter meet at least once annually for planning and evaluation of projects.

Concerning the way forward for Greater Aweil Dialogue resolutions and recommendations, the conference recommended the followings:

That the Steering committee and its sub-committees be fully supported and facilitated to realize its mandate.

That the chairperson of the committee be based mostly in the field for the effectiveness and delivery of roles and functions.

That the steering committee’s Headquarter shall be based for a year in Wanyjok, Aweil East County, and thereafter shall be rotational in all Aweil Counties, respectively.

That the steering committee should be the custodian of ACWA assets on the ground (now under the responsibility of BYDA) and will be under direct supervision of ACWA/leadership in collaboration with the chairman of Aweil community

6.0 Conclusion

APPENDIX 1