A Maryknoll sister has been in South Sudan during three weeks to lead various workshops on conflict transformation and peace building.
Sister Janice McLaughlin told SCR News that she started her activities in Wau with 28 students from the Nursing School and then moved to Juba to work with major seminarians and Bakhita Radio staff.She said the participants were concerned that issues like corruption, tribalism and land grabbing could create conflict in the future if people were not vigilant and did not keep the new country on the right track.
Asked how South Sudan could better its efforts in conflict resolution, Sister Janice said demobilisation of ex-combatants and disarmament of civilians were major steps towards a peaceful environment.
Sr. Janice said negotiation was another key step in resolving conflict.
She added that that creating peace within oneself is an important contribution towards establishing a non-conflict area.
Sr. Janice is the Superior General of the Maryknoll Sisters. She worked in various African countries including Kenya, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.