A government-linked commission and parliament committee plan to launch a joint reconciliation initiative in South Sudan alongside a third peace group, under the theme ‘Different Tribes – One Nation’.

The new initiative called the National Platform for Peace and Reconciliation (NPPR) will be officially launched in the capital Juba on Wednesday at New Sudan Palace Hotel.  

Although a representative of the Kiir government is expected to attend – Cabinet Minister Martin Elia Lomoro – none of the opposition are expected.

Rather, three institutions have launched the initiative: the Peace and Reconciliation Commission, the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation, and a parliament committee on reconciliation.

Three principal leaders of the initiative are Daniel Deng Bul, an archbishop of the Episcopal church; Chuol Rambang Luoth, the chairman of the national peace commission; and Lt. Gen David Okwier, an MP from Pochalla County, Jonglei.

According to a press release from the group, “all local and international stakeholders are welcome to fully participate.” UNDP, the UN Development Programme, is backing the initiative. 

Photo: A metal bedframe inside a house where people where shot and burned to death in Munuki West, Juba, in December 2013