CSOs/CBOs and faith-based organizations-led peace and reconciliation efforts
Publication Summary
While faith-based organizations have made significant contributions to peace and reconciliation efforts in the country, the CSOs have not done much. A key reason for this is the reluctance of the warring parties to include other stakeholders in peace talks. Indeed, in the ongoing peace efforts to resolve the violent conflict that began in December 2013, the CSOs were only allowed to participate in the peace process following a significant pressure from regional and Western bodies. Also, the weakness of the CSOs and faith-based organizations has worked against their full engagement with the peace processes. Possible actions to enhance their roles include increasing pressure on the warring parties and building capacities of these organizations through sustained funding and training.
Dr Leben Moro is the Director of the Directorate of Scientific and Cultural External Relations, University of Juba, and teaches graduate courses in the areas of development, conflict, forced migration and humanitarian affairs at the Center for Peace and Development Studies, University of Juba.
He received Master of Public Administration at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, and Master of Science in Forced Migration and Doctor of Philosophy in Development Studies at University of Oxford, UK.
He primarily conducts research on development-induced displacement and resettlement, focusing on oil-induced displacement in South Sudan. He has conducted fieldwork on local justice in South Sudan for the Rift Valley Institute and US Institute of Peace. Moreover, he has consulted for the GoSS, The World Bank, UN and NGOs.
Some of the findings of his studies appeared in the Journal of Refugee Studies (Oxford University), St Anthony’s International Review (Oxford University), Forced Migration Review (Oxford University), New Internationalist and Pambazuka News.