MID-Year NEWS
Building Peace from the Ground Up in Bic Bic
June marked an important milestone as the Peace Canal team and partners made their first visit to Bic Bic in Nanaam Payam, Gumuruk County. The visit focused on engaging with local communities and the newly established humanitarian centre of influence, known locally as Kuyubuza, meaning "I have finally rested."
The centre represents a practical investment in peace. Through the support of Peace Canal, POF South Sudan, RSRTF South Sudan and other partners, the community now has access to key infrastructure including a borehole providing clean water for the first time, an airstrip, humanitarian and administrative compounds, and a literacy learning space for age-set youth. Together, these investments are helping bring essential services closer to communities while creating the conditions for longer-term stability.
Over four days, the team met with community members to understand their priorities and strengthen collaboration for sustaining peace. Women shared the hardships they continue to face as communal conflict disrupts life across the surrounding villages, while community members raised concerns including water scarcity and insecurity.
The visit also provided an opportunity to facilitate dialogue between the Kurenen and Lango communities, helping to address outstanding issues and reinforce commitments to peaceful coexistence. Peace Canal and its partners continue to support communities to reduce cattle raiding, revenge killings and abductions, while encouraging young people to pursue livelihoods such as farming and other economic opportunities.
Turning Peace Agreements into Lasting Action
Across several regions during June, Peace Canal supported communities to move beyond dialogue by strengthening ownership of existing peace agreements and translating commitments into practical action.
In Greater Akobo and Ayod, dissemination meetings were held in Lankien and Pading to share the resolutions from the Thuokrikna and Karaam peace processes. These resolutions were subsequently endorsed during the Lou Nuer and Gawaar high-level meeting in Ayod, facilitated by the State Ministry of Peacebuilding and attended by state and national government representatives. Through POF South Sudan, Peace Canal supported dissemination activities reaching around 700 community members, helping ensure communities understood both the agreements reached and their role in sustaining peace.
In Warrap State, the Greater Tonj Area Team convened a Twic Intellectual Dialogue to strengthen the resolutions agreed during the Twic-Ngok Youth Conference held in April. Bringing together Members of Parliament, constitutional post holders, academics, business leaders, youth, women, community leaders and government representatives, the dialogue produced ten additional recommendations that were incorporated into the declaration signed by Twic community leaders in Kuajok.
Meanwhile, in Lakes State, the Rumbek Area Team facilitated a two-day conference between the Joth and Monytik communities of the Rup section. The conference enabled participants to resolve internal disputes and formalise their commitments through jointly signed resolutions. Chiefs, Gelweng youth, women, elders and government representatives committed themselves to strengthening peaceful coexistence, supporting community-led reconciliation and developing locally owned early warning systems to prevent future conflict.
Together, these engagements demonstrate that peace agreements are only the beginning. Sustained dialogue, local leadership and continued follow-up remain essential to transforming commitments into lasting peace.
Women Strengthening the Foundations of Peace
More than 60 women leaders, faith representatives, youth and civil society representatives from the Twic and Ngok communities came together during a three-day Joint Women's Dialogue held in Wau under the theme "Women are the Fountain of Peace."
Jointly organised by Peace Canal, Detcro, the Bishop Gasis Relief and Rescue Foundation (BGRRF), and the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) Civil Affairs, the dialogue sought to reinforce the commitments made during the Twic-Ngok Youth Dialogue held in April.
The event was attended by the Ministers responsible for Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, Gender and Social Welfare, together with the Commissioners of Twic and Rumamer/Abyei, reflecting broad support for women's leadership in sustaining peace and strengthening relationships between communities.
Investing in Local Peace Leadership
Strong local leadership is essential for responding quickly when tensions arise. During June, the Rumbek Area Team handed over five motorbikes to Akut De Door representatives from the five sections of Dinka Agar, strengthening their ability to support peacebuilding activities and respond rapidly to emerging community challenges.
The handover was witnessed by the Lakes State Minister of Peacebuilding. During the ceremony, Hon. Nyanhok Malou and Akut De Door representative Mr. Majak Wal expressed their appreciation for the continued support provided through POF South Sudan and reaffirmed their commitment to protecting communities and promoting peaceful coexistence across Lakes State.
Established by Peace Canal, Akut De Door continues to play an important role in strengthening community-led peacebuilding, supporting early warning, and promoting locally owned solutions to conflict.
Looking Ahead
Across South Sudan, communities continue to show that lasting peace is built through local leadership, sustained dialogue and practical investments that strengthen trust and cooperation. Peace Canal and its partners remain committed to accompanying communities as they develop locally led solutions that create safer, more resilient and more peaceful futures.
To read more stories about our work, visit the Peace Canal website and follow our latest updates.
Written with the support of AI.