By Ijoo Bosco
Members of the Civil Society in Eastern Equatoria State are calling upon the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) to play a leading role in resolving disputes among the dismantled leadership organizations.
Davidika Ikai, representing the Itwak Women’s Organization, recommends that the state commission convene a dialogue among all CSOs in order to address the leadership disagreements that pose a threat to the functioning of the organizations.
Ikai called for unity among CSO members to overcome the challenges caused by ongoing conflicts over the management of the state’s civil society institutions.
Recognizing the urgency of the situation, she urges the chairman of the RRC to organize a meeting with the Governor, where all stakeholders can express their concerns and work towards finding a resolution.
In response to these calls, the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission has acknowledged the need to address the disagreements within the civil society network.
This comes after a meeting held by the Eastern Equatoria State Civil Society Network to inform CSOs working across the state about the resolutions of the Juba conference, which took place last month.
Charles Okullo Cypriano, the executive director of the Peace Link Foundation in Eastern Equatoria State, acknowledges that despite outward appearances of calm, rumors of internal divisions within the civil society network have been circulating.
He recommends that the RRC facilitate an inclusive meeting where all CSO members operating across the state can come together to peacefully resolve these matters.
Okullo further highlights the existing divisions and lack of sufficient leadership within civil society organizations, which have resulted in a breakdown of unity and exchanges of bitterness.
He emphasizes that civil society is meant to be a neutral and peaceful force, and attacks among partners are counterproductive.
Therefore, urgent action is required to address these issues and restore harmony within the civil society network.