Building peace through inclusive participation in South Sudan

In April 2025, LM International’s South Sudan team, together with local partners Active Citizens South Sudan (ACSS) and Rural Development Action Aid (RDAA), launched the Youth and Women for Peace and Civic Transformation Project in Western Equatoria and Unity States. The initiative, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), seeks to strengthen inclusive governance and promote social cohesion by equipping young people, women, and persons with disabilities (PWDs) to engage actively in peace and decision-making processes.

Key achievements to date

Since its launch, the project has benefited from strong government leadership and civil society involvement, which has accelerated collaboration at all levels of society. The State Minister of Peacebuilding is directly leading the initiative, enabling broader participation from line ministries, local authorities, and community-based actors.

• Ten peace committees formed. Seventy-four representatives from state ministries, youth groups, women’s organisations, and PWD networks have been trained and organised into committees at state, municipal, and county levels.
• Action plans developed. Each peace committee has drafted a context-specific peacebuilding action plan, addressing issues such as land disputes, revenge killings, and gender-based violence. These plans have been consolidated into state-level strategies, ensuring coherence across regions.
• High-level engagement. Government leaders from the ministries of Peacebuilding, Gender, Child and Social Welfare, and Local Government have taken ownership of the process, embedding peace messages into their public outreach and mobilising wider community participation.
• Public awareness expanded. Radio talk shows have already reached more than 14,000 listeners. Community and religious leaders are reinforcing peacebuilding messages in their daily engagement with the public.

Immediate impact

A significant breakthrough is seen in the visible shift of government ownership. Despite challenges, including political instability, flooding, and a cholera outbreak, state authorities remain committed to advancing the project. The inclusion of women (43 per cent of committee members) and PWDs marks a notable departure from entrenched social norms, in a context where their participation has historically been limited. 
Communities are also beginning to experience practical benefits. Local disputes, such as conflicts between farmers and livestock owners, have been resolved peacefully through committee interventions, fostering reconciliation and trust.

Anticipated results

In the coming months, the project will focus on:

• strengthening the capacity of peace committees to implement their action plans;
• expanding public dialogue through further radio programming and community gatherings;
• documenting success stories to highlight how inclusive participation is transforming conflict resolution at grassroots level.

By ensuring that young people, women, and PWDs are not only participants but also leaders in peacebuilding, LM International and its partners are laying the foundations for more resilient and inclusive governance in South Sudan.