There’s no doubt that peace is a fundamental precondition for social and economic development. Without peace, societies are often plagued by conflict, violence, and instability, which can hinder progress and result in the loss of lives and resources.
A peaceful environment, many would agree, fosters social stability, human rights and economic development.
Equal access to justice is essential for protecting the rights of individuals, resolving disputes, and ensuring that vulnerable populations are not marginalized or mistreated.
The UN’s Sustainable development Goal number 16, is about promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. People everywhere should be free of fear from all forms of violence and feel safe as they go about their lives whatever their ethnicity, faith or sexual orientation, the UN says.
However, according to the Global body, ongoing and new violent conflicts around the world are derailing the global path to peace and achievement of Goal 16. Alarmingly, the year 2022 witnessed a more than 50 per cent increase in conflict-related civilian deaths – the first since the adoption of Agenda 2030 – largely due to the war in Ukraine.
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development, while sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law, and countries must take measures to protect those who are most at risk.
High levels of armed violence and insecurity have a destructive impact on a country’s development. Sexual violence, crime, exploitation and torture are prevalent where there is conflict or no rule of law. Therefore, the UN urges governments, civil society and communities to work together to find lasting solutions to conflict and insecurity.
In South Sudan, the ongoing conflict in Western Equatoria State, Upper Nile and Western Bhar el Ghazal are back-peddling the progress that would have otherwise been made by the country. For a nation so young, having attained her independence barely two decades ago, there is need for development; people should be spending their energies in improving agricultural yield and productivity, social cohesion, developing the healthcare and education systems and standardizing infrastructure.
No time should be diverted to armed conflict, or should there be inter-communal squabbles. At this juncture, the country needs more peace and cohesion than anything else. The country needs stronger governance systems, and much more, the country needs hope for its current and future generations.