“Dialogue gives us the opportunity to sit together, understand each other, and find solutions to our problems. We should continue with such meetings because peace requires the participation of everyone.”
October 22, 2026 – For John Umot, a landlord in South Sudan, respectful communication can make a difference when disagreements arise over land and settlement. He brought this concern to a two-day leadership dialogue organized by WPDI’s team on the ground, joining other local leaders to discuss the challenges facing their communities.
Years of conflict and displacement in South Sudan have left difficult questions about land ownership and access. When families leave their homes, return after years away, or settle somewhere new, disagreements can arise over boundaries and who has the right to use the land. These tensions can be harder to resolve when people have few places to turn for help.
Creating space to talk is one way to begin addressing them. WPDI’s community dialogues give people an opportunity to raise concerns, listen to different perspectives, and work through misunderstandings. Trust takes time to build, but these conversations can help people find a way forward together.
In Lafon, the discussions focused on the relationship between Monyiemiji traditional leaders and local government representatives. Together, they explored their responsibilities, where misunderstandings arise, and how they could work together to support their communities.
The dialogue brought together 69 participants, both men and women, from Burgilo, Kurumi, Marguna, and Pachidi payams. County authorities, chiefs, representatives of organized forces, women’s groups, civil society, Pari community leaders, and Monyiemiji leaders each brought their experiences and concerns to the conversation.
Through presentations, group discussions and dialogue, participants reflected on how they could resolve disagreements and work together.
“Our people can only develop when we live together in peace, respect one another, and solve our differences through dialogue rather than confrontation,” said Hon. David Urupi, Commissioner of Lafon County.
He thanked WPDI for bringing the community together and urged residents to avoid violence, rumors and actions that could deepen divisions. He also expressed his commitment to supporting peace throughout the county.
The Paramount Chief emphasized the role of traditional leadership in listening to residents and addressing disputes before they escalate.
“As traditional leaders, our responsibility is to bring people together, listen to their concerns, and guide them toward peaceful solutions.” He encouraged chiefs, elders, youth, women and other community leaders to work together, respecting customary processes while cooperating with government authorities. John Umot similarly called for respect between landlords, tenants, returnees and other residents, encouraging people to seek help from local leaders rather than take matters into their own hands.
The conversations also connected peace to everyday needs. Participants discussed how food insecurity affects education and health, how poor roads restrict trade and access to services, and how insecurity disrupts livelihoods. They noted that reliance on a limited number of crops leaves families exposed to food shortages when harvests fail.
Together, participants committed to promoting unity across political, social, religious and family differences, resolving disputes through dialogue and lawful mechanisms, and supporting diversified agriculture, livestock production, food storage and other sustainable livelihoods.
At the close of the dialogue, the women’s representative thanked participants for including women in the peace process. She emphasized their role in supporting families and teaching children about peaceful coexistence: “Women are ready to work together with the leaders and the entire community to promote peace. We should not allow differences to divide us.”
Monyiemiji leader Mr. Udung Urii also stressed the importance of continuing these meetings: “Dialogue gives us the opportunity to sit together, understand each other, and find solutions to our problems. We should continue with such meetings because peace requires the participation of everyone.”
WPDI understands that peace can only last when the people most affected have a voice in shaping it. In Lafon, bringing residents, traditional leaders and county authorities together created space for concerns to be heard and responsibilities to be shared. Supporting these conversations means helping communities take the lead in resolving disputes and building a future they can agree on together.
Thanks to the support of a foundation that wishes to remain anonymous