Juba, 19 November — To reinforce the role of traditional leaders in peacebuilding, the National Ministry of Peacebuilding in collaboration with UNDP and with support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) organized a Conference of the Council of Traditional Authority Leaders (COTAL) in Juba under the theme “Empowering Traditional Authorities to Consolidate Peace, Reconciliation, and Social Cohesion in South Sudan’’. The conference which ran from 18-19 November 2025, aimed to renew the call on the traditional authority and leaders to be active in promoting and consolidating peace and reconciliation at the grassroots, by reviewing the status of implementation of the 21-point resolution developed by COTAL in 2023, and discuss the inclusion of women in chieftaincy and traditional Customary Courts in conformity with the 35% affirmative action.

Traditional authorities and leaders are known to resolve local disputes to maintain peace and security at the grassroots level in South Sudan. In 2023, COTAL, with support from UNDP, conducted state conferences that focused on reviving and strengthening traditional authority to handle their core function at the sub-national level. These initiatives led to the 21-point resolutions that echoed the aspirations to restore the powers of traditional leadership, harmonize and support inclusive traditional leadership structures and enhance the participation of traditional authorities in peacebuilding and governance. However, traditional authorities continue to face challenges such as protracted conflicts, limited inclusion of women and youth and inadequate resources.

The Conference gathered State and County officials, traditional and religious leaders, including youth and women, to explore the purpose of the COTAL, its strategy and approaches to addressing peacebuilding at community and national level. Additionally, the conference provided a platform for dialogue amongst themselves and key partners to identify ways to anchor their role in governance. The conference of the COTAL called for a renewed commitment by all stakeholders to reclaim the role of traditional leaders in peacebuilding. The outcome of the conference will go a long way in preserving customary authority in South Sudan, and in uniting different communities.

Rev. Martin Simon Wani noted that "We need our traditional leaders to be the foremost mobilizers for peacebuilding at the grassroots level. Therefore, it is essential that we support and empower them fully."

Prince Tadeo Mario Sasa, the Prime Minister of Azande Kingdom, a member of the National COTAL Secretariat, mentioned that "Traditional leaders are the founders of this nation. We are the foundational authority that entrusted the government with the mandate to guide and lead our people."

In his opening remarks, Hon. Pia Philip, Under Secretary of the Ministry of Peacebuilding, mentioned that "COTAL are the indispensable bridge between their community and the local government. COTAL must be champions of social-economic development and promoting agriculture."

“We must collectively harness this opportunity to address contemporary challenges like inter-communal clashes, land disputes, and climate change and commit to implementing tangible results” said Ms. Natacha Kunama, Programme Advisor - UNDP.

This conference is a platform for traditional leaders to share best practices in preventing and mitigating conflict as well as enhancing reconciliation and healing amongst communities. It will also disseminate the 21-point resolutions passed by the COTAL.