Nonviolent Peaceforce Mission Preparedness Training in South Sudan

Every year Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP) conducts mission preparedness training for newstaff at a secluded farm in Western Equatoria State. This isolated property is intentionally chosen to eliminate distractions and foster an environment conducive NP’s team-building. Thirty-six NP multicultural national and international staff took part in the rigorous ten day program last year.

The training emphasizes NP’s principles of nonviolence, independence and nonpartisanship; while highlighting the niche of the organization in building strong and dependable relationships with all conflict actors. Participants are taken through a range of strategies on how to proactively engage, reduce violence, protect civilians and enhance secure environments in the field.

The staff is imparted with NP’s mission of promoting, developing and implementing unarmed civilian peacekeeping as a tool. This tool helps reduce violence and protect civilians in situations of armed conflict. Mission preparedness training equips staff with the skills and approach required to be effective unarmed civilian peacekeepers on the ground. Training is relevant in all countries where NP operates including South Sudan, where tribal and ethnic divisions perpetuate regular cycles of conflict.

Prior to the final training ceremony, a national protection officer offered these words to the group:

“I’ve never been together with different people like this. There are internationals, Dinka, Nuer and my Murle people from Jonglei State. We are supposed to have great hatred for each other. I thought I would find it very hostile between Dinka and Nuer here. But when I came they are normal like me and they play the way I play, they eat the way I eat, and they talk the way I talk. They are also normal human beings and they understand me. So I really feel great. We are like one body.”

This quote only serves to highlight the diversity of the participants and the training’s effectiveness in also creating solidarity between South Sudanese tribes.

Nonviolent Peaceforce currently has programs in South Sudan, South Caucasus, Myanmar and the Philippines. NP previously operated in Sri Lanka and Guatemala. NP has nine field sites in South Sudan with pilot programs in several new locations under development.