Machar, Swiss envoy discuss traditional leaders’ role in peace implementation

JUBA – South Sudan’s First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny has met a security envoy on Tuesday to discuss the implementation of the revitalized peace agreement and the potential importance of traditional leaders’ role in the deal’s success, according to a statement by Machar’s office.

“The First Vice President of the Republic, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, and Swiss government’s Advisor on Human Security in South Sudan, Joane Holliger, discussed the importance of revitalizing the Traditional Council of Chiefs from across the new country,” the statement seen by Sudans Post reads in part.

“This is due to the importance of the active role the chiefs can play in disseminating the peace agreement, or R-ARCSS, to the grassroot populations across the nation,  in addition to their active traditional roles in keeping peace and harmony.

“The Human Security Division (HSD) in Switzerland, which Holliger heads in South Sudan, is in charge of conflict mediation and peace work.

“The Juba office’s responsibility include coordinating Switzerland’s peace engagement in South Sudan and political analysis and creation of mediation entry points for Switzerland by building strategic relationships with high-level decision makers from government, opposition, civil society, church and the international community.

“It also include advice on issues related to politics, governance, conflict and human rights as well as support Switzerland’s political positioning within South Sudan’s high level political processes to ensure policy coherence and relevance.”