VIABLE SUPPORT TO TRANSITION AND
STABILITY (VISTAS)
FY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
OCTOBER1, 2016 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
October 10, 2017 This publication was produced for review by the United States Agency for International Development.
It was prepared by AECOM.
VIABLE SUPPORT TO TRANSITION AND STABILITY (VISTAS) FY 2017 ANNUAL REPORT OCTOBER 1, 2016 - SEPTEMBER 30, 2017
Contract No. AID-668-C-13-00004
Submitted to: USAID South Sudan
Prepared by: AECOM International Development
Prepared for: Office of Transition and Conflict Mitigation (OTCM) USAID South Sudan Mission American Embassy Juba, South Sudan
DISCLAIMER: The authors’ views expressed in this document do not necessarily reflect the views of the United States Agency for International Development or the United States Government.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. Acronyms ...... 4
II. Executive Summary ...... 6
III. Political and Security Landscape ...... 8
IV. Program Strategy...... 9
V. Program Highlights ...... 10
To Increase Space and Tools to Manage Conflict and Tensions ...... 10
To Build Cross-Line Interdependency to Promote Peaceful Coexistence ...... 14
To Promote a More Informed Community ...... 19
To Engage Communities in Trauma Awareness to Lay the Foundation for Healing And Reconciliation ...... 21
Program Challenges and Lessons Learned ...... 23
VI. Impact ...... 24
VII. Administration and Logistics ...... 26
Annex A: Financial Information (For Internal USAID Use Only) ...... 28
Annex B: Schedule of Upcoming Events ...... 29
Annex C: Region-Specific Information ...... 30
Annex D: Progress on Indicator Targets ...... 31
Annex E: Success Stories ...... 32
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 3 I. ACRONYMS
VISTAS Viable Support to Transition and Stability
ARCISS Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan
SRS Strategy Review Session
PoC Protection of Civilians
NBeG Northern Bahr El Ghazal
SPLA-IG Sudan People’s Liberation Army
SPLA-IO Sudan People’s Liberation Army-in-Opposition
SPLM-IO Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition
MSI Management Systems International
GoSS Government of South Sudan
NGO Non-Government Organization
RPF Regional Protection Force
JIA Juba International Airport
IGAD Intergovernmental Authority on Development
JMEC Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission
UNMISS United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan
PSC Peace and Security Council
IMDRM Informal Mediation Dispute Resolution Mechanism
IDP Internally Displaced Persons
BNFA Bentiu, Nasir, Fangak, and Akobo Nuer Association
WPDI Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative
GWEA Ganyliel Women’s Empowerment Association
UNDP United Nations Development Programme
JIPDD Jonglei Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development
SSTO South Sudan Theater Organization
AMA American Mission for Africa
UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 4 ACR Action for Conflict Resolution
SSYLF South Sudan Young Leaders Forum
RRC Relief and Rehabilitation Commission
CCN Cooperating Country National
NXP Non-expendable Property
SSNLM South Sudan National Liberation Movement
GBV Gender-Based Violence
STAR I Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience
MS TOT Morning Star Training of Trainers
KCB Kenya Commercial Bank
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 5 II. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
FY17 saw conflict and instability continue sporadically in different parts of South Sudan throughout the reporting period. The Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (ARCISS) failed to deliver the peace hoped for when it was signed in August 2015. The chasm between the signatories deepened while additional political and military defections occurred, creating more opposition groups. As a result, the conflict spread into previously unaffected parts of South Sudan (most significantly, the Equatorias. The Government (SPLA-IG) led offensives the were successful in gaining territory from the Riek Machar-led SPLA in opposition (SPLA-IO) in Greater Upper Nile and Jonglei during the dry season. The opposition groups, though more numerous, are fragmented; as such, they have thus far failed to represent a united front against the predominantly Dinka government.
The National Dialogue process spearheaded by the Government remained with limited appeal and credibility from both national and international observers. So far, very few, if any, efforts have been made to roll it out at the state, county and payam (district) levels.
The continued collapsing of the SUMMARY OF VISTAS PROGRAMMING1 economy remained a concern, with annual consumer price inflation over Total # of Activities Cleared in FY17 172 250% compared to FY16. Conflict- driven famine and displacement Total Value of Activities Cleared in FY17 $ 14,804,316 continued in parts of the country, as an Average Grant Size $ 86,071 estimated 6 million South Sudanese faced severe food insecurity and the Program Funds Disbursed in FY17 $ 9,867,081 number of displaced persons climbed to 3.8 million2. Humanitarian operations Program Funds Disbursed To Date $ 29,689,171 faced additional impediments, including access restrictions and violence against their staff.
With the situation in Juba stabilized after the July 2016 outbreak of violence, FY17 saw VISTAS expatriate staff permanently return to South Sudan in January and February 2017.
Despite the instability in various parts of the country and remote management of program and operational activities for Q1 of FY17, VISTAS had its strongest performing year, with 172 cleared activities (50% more than FY16) valued at approximately $14.8 million (30% more than FY16). Approximately $9.9 million in program funding was disbursed, which represented an increase of 36% over FY16.
VISTAS carried out its annual Strategy Review Session (SRS) in Tanzania in November 2016, bringing together all current staff, both international and national. The main objectives achieved were updating the strategic vision and plans for VISTAS programming in 2017 and providing psychosocial care for the South Sudanese team members.
Programming in Juba continued to focus on trauma awareness and youth engagement activities in the Protection of Civilians (PoC) camp and citizens’ access to independent media (especially in rural areas, through shortwave and print medium). This included support to Radio Tamazuj, Eye Radio, and Juba
1 The figures presented in the table are as of September 25, 2017 2 Crisis in South Sudan. (n.d.). Retrieved October 05, 2017, from http://www.fao.org/emergencies/crisis/south-sudan/en/
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 6 Monitor, increasing access to accurate information to an estimated one million listeners in South Sudan (Eye Radio estimates).
In Northern Bahr El Ghazal (NBeG), VISTAS continued its work promoting cross-border interdependency between the Rizeigat, Misseriya and Dinka tribes, contributing to continued peaceful migration southward. Trade was weak due to the South Sudan-Sudan border closure and food security was a serious challenge facing the population, with many aid agencies working to prevent a famine.
In Lakes State, VISTAS began support to the inter-state (Lakes and Equatoria region) cattle migration work in collaboration with UNMISS Civil Affairs Division. Four new buildings were constructed to promote the livestock economy and traditional authority system, including a new Traditional Authorities Court in Rumbek town.
In Unity, VISTAS supported local NGOs implementing peace programming in Panyijar, southern Unity. Southern Unity saw peaceful trade continue between the Nuer and the neighboring Dinka communities in Bor and Eastern Lakes region. In northern Unity, VISTAS expanded its work outside the PoC into Bentiu and Rubkona towns to engage the administration and youth groups in peace dialogues.
In Upper Nile, the program geographically expanded to work with migration committees to facilitate a peaceful cattle migration corridor from Sudan. The Pagak satellite office was overrun and looted by the local youth following the SPLA-IG offensive on the area in August 2017, which led to VISTAS discontinuing programming in the area and closing the office.
In Jonglei, VISTAS enabled the construction of three Traditional Authorities’ Courts and the renovation of a women’s center. VISTAS team in Akobo was evacuated following an SPLA-IG offensive on SPLA-IO (Machar faction) in April but resumed programming several weeks later. In Pibor, VISTAS sought to engage local and traditional authorities, cattle-keeping youth, and women in efforts to bring an end to intra-Murle local level conflicts.
Morning Star, the VISTAS trauma awareness program, integrated its trauma awareness sessions into regional programming in six different regions through the deployment of 23 Master Trainers, reaching almost 10,000 beneficiaries. These sessions were warmly received by the trainees, who recognized trauma as one of the most serious issues facing a large proportion of the population.
To gauge the effectiveness of its infrastructure grants and to understand their role in the peace building process, VISTAS conducted a cluster evaluation on infrastructure projects. Thirty-four projects were part of the study, which found that the implemented activities, such as developing infrastructure, providing equipment to local institutions, civil society organizations, and community leadership, and building multipurpose spaces and markets, have proven effective in relation to the overall project objective to contribute to peace building, coexistence and interdependency among communities from different ethnic groups.
VISTAS worked with Management Services International (MSI) on its Learning Assessment of the VISTAS program. The purpose of the assessment was to document the program’s effectiveness and challenges against the stated objectives during the life of the program to date. The recommendations are being addressed on an ongoing basis.
In FY17, VISTAS completed 20 construction projects worth over $2.8 million. These included Traditional Authority Courts, Women’s Centers, Youth Centers, and a boat dock.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 7 III. POLITICAL AND SECURITY LANDSCAPE
The political and security landscape of 2017 stood in stark contrast to that of the previous year. In 2016, the SPLA-IG vs. SPLA-IO conflict and attempts at a forced reconciliation – always a risky proposition - resulted in the climactic outbreak of fighting in Juba in August, precipitating the temporary withdrawal of VISTAS expatriate staff to Nairobi. The situation in Juba has been relatively calm since the permanent return of VISTAS in January 2017, but there is a very real threat of this situation being undermined by the continuing decline of the economy and a growing lack of confidence in the Government of South Sudan (GoSS), even among many Dinka. Despite this, the crime rate in Juba remained low compared to FY16. Analysts have attributed this largely to a crackdown by the security organs on criminal activity to convince the international community of normalcy having returned to South Sudan.
By the end of the reporting period, it had become apparent that effective political control from the President down had significantly deteriorated, with different government departments, and officials within those departments, making up their own rules and even ignoring directives from above. Examples of this included revenue-generating requirements to re-issue vehicle registration and driver’s licenses, an increase in NGO registration fees, and demands to see current work permits for domestic travel. The international community now appears to be exasperated with South Sudan and its leadership; future assistance funding seems less likely unless the government takes drastic reform measures. Regardless, the government approved a budget for FY18 that was heavily reliant on foreign aid (even while proposing a high rate of spending on arms purchase and military operations).
Of note this year was the removal from office of the SPLA Chief of General Staff, Paul Malong. After a drama played out wherein Malong attempted to flee by road to Aweil, he has remained under house arrest in Juba since May 12, 2017. No significant reaction was observed either in Juba or his home state of NBeG, but it appears that he still maintains some loyal followers and his dismissal may have widened some rifts between Dinka groups. Some analysts think this may be a significant contributing factor to the overall decline in political command and control, but there is no clear evidence to support that contention.
As the year progressed, while the potential for unpredictable outbreaks of violence in Juba remained low, instability has appeared to be increasing in recent months. While an ethnic conflict similar to December 2013 is possible, it is more likely that any outbreak of violence would be fueled by the dire economic situation. Security forces were being paid sporadically, if at all and not per the usual three- month schedule. Any such outbreak of violence would be very different from the polarized battle of August 2016, and would likely result in the complete breakdown of political control and law and order, being characterized by an anarchic, violent looting and pillaging spree. In such a scenario, VISTAS and all other foreign entities would be seen as high-value targets.
One seeming concession made by the GoSS this year was to allow the initial deployment of elements of the Regional Protection Force (RPF) to Juba, which began in March 2017. Although their mandate was not clear, it appeared that the RPF deployed with the intention to secure Juba International Airport (JIA). However, their initial attempt to enter the airport was blocked by the SPLA with some verbal hostility and threats. In late September, attempts by RPF patrols to enter UNMISS Tongping Base (alongside JIA) were once again blocked by the SPLA, this time with far more aggression which almost resulted in an armed engagement.
Outside Juba, the conflict between the SPLA-IG and SPLA-IO and other armed opposition groups was sporadic and ill-coordinated. The southern areas of Central Equatoria, particularly in the vicinity of Yei
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 8 and Kajo Keji, saw most of the conflict in the south. In the north, the SPLA-IG dislodged the Shilluk forces under General Olony from their positions on the West Bank of the Nile, securing Malakal from threat, and fought their way to Pagak, the SPLA-IO general headquarters. Although still supported by the international community (mainly through IGAD and JMEC), the ARCISS is a failed process, and the potential of a National Dialogue as announced by the President is highly questionable. In the words of the UN, “in the wake of the de facto collapse of the transitional government of national unity in July 2016, there is currently no political will to implement the Agreement among those with the power to do so, nor any political will to address the destructive governance practices and historical grievances that continue to drive the conflict in South Sudan.” 3 Most credible analysts believe that South Sudan is slowly slipping into anarchy and the future has become even less certain. IV. PROGRAM STRATEGY
VISTAS understands that there are three levels of interconnected conflict in South Sudan: 1) conflict between the political and military elites in the SPLM/A & SPLM/A-IO; 2) community-level conflict often centered on access to resources (including cattle, land, pasture, and water); and, 3) conflicts characterized as ‘citizen vs state,’ impacting populations that feel marginalized and aggrieved by the national or state level governments.
VISTAS supports both national and local-level stabilization and transition efforts targeted at recovery by mitigating political and social volatility and reducing vulnerability to violence. VISTAS operates in six regions (Equatoria, Jonglei, Lakes, Northern Bahr El Ghazal, Unity and Upper Nile) that are critical to the political stability of the country. The program strategically places its offices to help local partners advance peace by seizing critical windows of opportunity.
VISTAS works through the following objectives:
A. To increase space and tools to manage conflict and tensions. B. To promote a more informed community. C. To build cross-line interdependency to promote peaceful coexistence. D. To engage communities in trauma awareness to lay the foundation for healing and reconciliation.
Along with the overall objectives, each of the six regions develops its own regional strategy that identifies the key contextual issues and sub-objectives to address those issues, in line with the overall VISTAS objectives.
During FY17, regions continued to pursue activities supporting the strategies agreed upon during the Strategic Review Session (SRS) in November 2016. Juba, Lakes, NBeG and Jonglei teams carried over their strategies from FY16, albeit with a more targeted approach, focusing on fewer outcomes. All regions recognized the need for more layering of activities that focused VISTAS programming on shared thematic areas across the different regions like trade, migration, and strengthening customary authorities. All regions focused on inclusion of Morning Star trauma awareness activities into their regional programming.
3 UNSC Report of the Panel of Experts on South Sudan, p.2, 20 September 2017.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 9 In Unity, the program strategy was modified from FY16 to ensure VISTAS was addressing conflicts outside the PoC. In particular, the team looked to identifying effective grants and reliable grantees outside of the PoC into Bentiu town and in southern Unity.
The Upper Nile program strategy for FY17 was revised to accommodate evolving dynamics on the ground. Activities were designed to mitigate militia mobilization with a view to preventing atrocities and to increase awareness of trauma and psychosocial wellbeing. To facilitate the strategic pivot, VISTAS engaged beyond the PoC into Malakal and used the Pagak office to reach communities closer to the frontlines of fighting in greater Upper Nile.
Morning Star program strategy changed from trauma awareness activities being independent of VISTAS regional activities to integrating trauma awareness activities into its regional programs. The integration of trauma awareness activities was driven by a team of 23 full-time Master Trainers recruited, trained and deployed to serve as a core team implementing different Morning Star trauma awareness tools. The strategic change was based on lessons learned from the pilot phase that ended in 2016, which pointed out the need for more flexible and manageable tools connecting trauma awareness activities to other conflict mitigation activities.
During FY17, the Roving Team became fully functional, taking over the activities previously envisioned by the Juba team in and around Yambio, expanding interventions to Wau, and exploring the possibility of working in other parts of Western Bahr el Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria region. V. PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
TO INCREASE SPACE AND TOOLS TO MANAGE CONFLICT AND TENSIONS
VISTAS uses peace dialogues to reaffirm the legitimacy of community leadership and customary authorities, in particular to mitigate conflicts and manage local agreements often over shared natural resources and access to markets. VISTAS reinforces progress in strengthening intercommunal relationships through peace dialogues by supporting activities that provide mutual economic and social benefits to communities.
Under this objective, VISTAS implemented 39 projects valued at $3,907,066 in FY17. Activities included providing support for inter- and intra-tribal peace dialogues, commissioned research on community perceptions, public lectures on issues such as transitional justice, support to small-scale infrastructure activities, school debates on peace and reconciliation, and university lectures in PoCs. Some of the key activities under this objective are highlighted below.
During FY17 Q1 in Upper Nile, VISTAS in collaboration with UNMISS coordinated an activity designed to enhance the capacity of the Malakal Peace and Security Council (PSC) to increase space for conflict management in the Malakal PoC site. It sought to do so by rendering assistance to the Informal Mediation Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IMDRM), a judicial body formed and moderated by UNMISS. The IMDRM consists of recognized traditional leaders who adjudicate and interpret customary law in the Malakal PoC. VISTAS provided material support MEMBERS OF THE MALAKAL PEACE AND SECURITY COUNCIL RECEIVING EQUIPMENT – PHOTO BY KOANG PUK in the form of uniforms, stationery,
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 10 communications equipment, and items such as gumboots and raincoats, to enhance their mobility during the rainy season and thus facilitate their management of disputes in the PoC. This activity increased the PSC’s visibility and boosted its motivation to voluntarily work as the primary interlocutor between the internally displaced persons (IDP) and the international community.
Cognizant of the important role youth play either as stakeholders or spoilers in peace building efforts, VISTAS in FY17 Q2 AWEIL MARATHON PARTICIPANTS HOLDING THE BANNER BEFORE supported Nilo Sports Company in NBeG TAKING ON THE 8KM RACE. PHOTO BY- DANIEL DENG to bring together youth from the entire region for a peace marathon. Given the state’s history of being the key mobilizer of youth joining militias, this activity brought youth together to partake in constructive activities. This activity saw over 3,500 youth participate an 8 km race.
In FY17 Q3, VISTAS co-funded the Ana Taban Hagana Festival along with the US Embassy’s Public Affairs Office. The arts festival featured music, theater, and cultural dance, as well as local artworks and handicrafts. The event was held at Nyakuron Cultural Center on May 20 and was attended by an estimated 5,000 people. The activities increased positive interaction among youth from different communities to bridge the divide amongst different ethnicities in South Sudan and encourage the role of youth as peace makers. One attendee said the festival “felt like part of a united South Sudan”. Following the success of this event, VISTAS developed a follow-on grant aimed at providing key equipment, material and logistical support to Ana Taban. This support will allow them to conduct multiple events in Juba, South Sudan and the East African region. Ana Taban’s events focus on peace messages expressed through music, painting, poetry and visual arts.
SCHOOL CHILDREN VIEW A PERFORMANCE AT THE HAGANA FESTIVAL IN NYAKURON’S INDOOR THEATER. PHOTO BY - NELSON ROMBEK
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 11 In June 2017, VISTAS together with traditional authorities in Pibor County conducted a conference that brought together traditional authority representatives from Pibor, Kubal, Lekuangole, Vertet, Boma and Pochalla counties to discuss and harmonize customary laws pertaining to marriage, child ownership, child abduction, and cattle raiding. During the conference, the chiefs harmonized the abovementioned laws and pledged to inform their respective communities of the amended laws and to implement these laws going forward. The notable success of the conference was that the laws pertaining to marriage are now harmonized across the state. Specifically, the chiefs agreed on the common bridal price, which was reduced from 120 heads of cattle to a maximum of 70 (reduction alleviates economic pressure on youth to participate in cattle raiding and bride kidnapping). The agreed upon changes to customary laws are expected to be presented to the state governor in FY18 Q1 who, upon review, would present them to the State Assembly.
In August 2017, VISTAS team in Akobo supported traditional authorities of Akobo East County in conducting a conference on blood compensation that was attended by 100 community leaders, including chiefs, women, and youth, representing the four Lou Nuer clan sections (Cie-Bol, Cie-Mankoat, Cie-Bur, and Cie-Luong) that were in conflict over unsettled revenge killing cases. VISTAS provided the disputing communities with a forum to peacefully discuss the outstanding feuds and derive actionable resolutions to address them. As a result of the activity, the communities immediately initiated compensation for pending revenge killing cases, which significantly reduced inter-communal tensions among them.
CHIEF FROM CIE-BUR SECTION OF LOU NUER CLAN STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE WITH THE RIVAL CIE-LUONG SECTION, GAKDONG, AKOBO EAST COUNTY. PHOTO BY - RUEI HOTH.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 12 In FY17 Q3, VISTAS team in NBeG supported dissemination campaigns for the pre-migration conferences’ resolutions between Dinka Malual – Rizeigat and Dinka Malual – Misseriya. The dissemination activities were conducted from March 17 to April 19, 2017 in 52 locations along the livestock migration routes, in a total of 26 locations along the Misseriya pastoralist migration routes in Aweil East County and 26 locations along the Rizeigat pastoralist migration routes in Aweil North, West and Center counties. A total of 5,320 participants (3,138 male and 2,182 female) attended the meetings to learn what was discussed and agreed upon during the pre-migration conferences. The participants addressed concerns that the Arab pastoralist communities and Dinka Malual host communities had prior to the 2017 migration season.
The VISTAS team in Lakes in FY17 Q3 supported a series of preparatory migration conferences in three states (Gok, Eastern and Western Lakes State) of Lakes region targeting cattle camps and farmers along migratory routes. The dialogues sought to increase participation of pastoral communities in preparation of a safer animal migration season that is normally associated with increased tensions and a key component in the conflict between farming populations and pastoral communities. Local community leaders, local government officials, church leaders, youth and women groups participated in various consultative and preparatory meetings in their respective routes, which were selected by a state-level animal migratory committee established previously. The total number of beneficiaries reached was over 1,000 pastoral and farmers’ households along the migratory routes of Lakes State.
In Pagak, VISTAS through the Nuer Community Association brought together 200 influential Nuer leaders from across the country to attend a three-day conference in April 2017, to de-escalate militia mobilization and to counter indiscriminate violence in reducing atrocities and civilian casualties in war. The conference produced resolutions that are being disseminated throughout the Nuer-lands. The Bentiu, Nasir, Fangak, and Akobo Nuer Association (BNFA) delegation formed during the conference successfully mediated peaceful solutions to the conflict between Jikany sub-clans in Nasir in May 2017.
DELEGATIONS OF NUER LEADERS FROM BENTIU, NASIR, FANGAK, AND AKOBO AT THE BNFA CONFERENCE IN PAGAK- PHOTOS BY DANIEL NORFOLK
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 13 In FY17, the VISTAS team in Juba supported a series of psycho-social activities within Juba PoC to provide healthy alternatives for residents. VISTAS supported Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI) and their sports program in the PoC that engaged thousands of youth. The VISTAS youth activity centered primarily on Peace Engagement Days, in which the sports activities were combined with focus group discussions on peace themes. VISTAS has continuously supported lectures for university-level students within the PoC managed by Gender Equity and Women’s Leadership Program (GEWLP). The courses that have seen the highest attendance are English, Computer and South Sudan Culture. This work in the PoC was complemented by the Morning Star program with 16 two-day and five-day sessions held in the PoC since January of this year.
In August 2017, the VISTAS Roving Team supported the Inter-Faith Council for Peace Initiative, by bringing together youth and leaders from the Azande and Jur Beri tribes in Gbudue State to participate in two peace and reconciliation workshops in Yambio. Facilitators moderated discussions between the tribes and encouraged reconciliation. As a result, resolutions were agreed upon by the two tribes and the state government, a Jur Beri/Azande women’s leadership group was formed to help mitigate/resolve future conflict, and a Jur Beri family that had been kidnapped was released. In addition to Inter-Faith’s facilitation, a VISTAS Morning Star Master Trainer provided a brief training on Trauma Healing during the workshop. The meeting was covered in Sudan Tribune online4 - “Dialogue between ethnic groups kick-off in Gbudue state.”
REV. ENLAMA (FRONT), STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY LEADERS FACILITATING THE MEETING BETWEEN JUR BERI AND AZANDE. PHOTO BY- CHASE MADDEN.
TO BUILD CROSS-LINE INTERDEPENDENCY TO PROMOTE PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE
Interdependency through livestock and trade has a long history of connecting communities in South Sudan and facilitates relationships across conflict lines. Trade is effective in connecting communities and facilitating mutual benefits and relationships across communities in conflict. Communities have resisted being mobilized for violence across conflict lines because of the interdependency. Under this objective, in FY17 VISTAS implemented 13 projects worth $1,101,459.
4 http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article63280
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 14 THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED BOAT DOCK IN AKOBO, AKOBO EAST COUNTY. PHOTO BY - RUEI HOTH. In August 2017, the VISTAS team in Akobo supported the construction of a boat dock in Akobo. The activity aimed at boosting trade and subsequently promoting stability and security in the region by providing the Akobo Traders Union with a safe space to offload goods/commodities coming from Ethiopia. The positive impact of this project is evident as the number of commercial boats delivering goods to Akobo has increased from one in two weeks to an average of three per week. The steps built have made it easy to load and offload items such as perishable food items, clothes, and building materials coming in from Gambella (Ethiopia). Another positive impact has been the increased movement of older people and children as they can easily get off/on the boats during the rainy season. Improved trade activity in Akobo East County since the completion of the project has drawn several dozen young men from the western part of Greater Akobo with the prospect of engaging in commercial activities, and the expectation is that in the coming dry season this will result in less cattle raiding as more youth will be engaged in trade and fishing.
PARTICIPANTS CELEBRATE THE CLOSE OF THE 2ND TRIPARTITE TRADE CONFERENCE. PHOTO BY – GABRIEL CHUOL.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 15 In FY17 Q1, the VISTAS team in Unity supported a Tripartite Nile trade conference in Ganyliel. This activity built upon the inaugural tripartite trade conference in Panyijiar County in 2015 and again brought together traders from Unity State, Jonglei State and Lakes State across communal and ethnic divides. The goal was to reaffirm and strengthen the bonds between these traders to help bolster trade, access to markets and prosperity within the belt from Lakes Yirol and Amongpiny counties, Panyijiar County in Unity and Jonglei’s Duk County. The activity was an unqualified success. According to local sources, cattle trade between the Nuer of Panyijar and Dinka of Rumbek has increased over the year and there were more traders in Panyijar and Ganyliel towards the end of Q4 than there were during the same period last year. Cattle raids have also declined as a result of the increased trade between the Dinka and the Nuer. For example, 26 cows previously THE GWEA CELEBRATE THE OPENING OF THEIR NEW OFFICE. PHOTO raided by Nuer in Amongpiny were retrieved BY-PUOT MABOR by the leadership of Panyijar and returned to their Dinka owners in Amongpiny. Glowing testimonies from participants visiting Panyijiar for the trade conference helped bolster confidence in the region allowing greater levels of travel and trade. As trader Kerubino Banybor said after the event, “VISTAS has encouraged other organizations to support traders, for instance Mercy Corps is now supporting traders as a result of the Tripartite Nile trade conference achievement”. Issues that hampered trade and potential resolutions were discussed in earnest. Many recommendations were agreed upon and delivered to VISTAS. For instance, the construction of a Traders Union office in Ganyliel that was completed earlier this year and is the subject of the case study below, came as a direct result of the second tripartite trade.
After consultative meetings with the Ganyliel Women’s Empowerment Association (GWEA) and following the Tripartite Trade Conference at the end of 2016 (see above), a need was identified to support the two organizations with office space and furniture in order to encourage their activities and legitimize them in their endeavors. Twin projects were developed in response. Working with a local contractor, the two buildings were constructed and inaugurated in July 2017. Since that time, the Traders Union has begun planning to develop market facilities in Ganyliel to better support regional trade, while the activity of the Women’s Association has increased dramatically. When IDPs fleeing famine conditions in Yirol and Amongpiny arrived in Panyijiar, the Women’s Association was at the forefront of the response, throwing open the doors of their new office to house desperate families and offering the support of their association. The GWEA, with the help of another VISTAS grantee (Assistance Mission Africa) has become the most established and effective women’s associations in Unity State. Similarly, the Panyijiar Traders Union continues to play a pivotal role in regional trade.
In FY17 Q2, the VISTAS team in Upper Nile succeeded in garnering the support needed to implement a dialogue series on land, property, and the drivers of conflict with women’s groups from the Malakal PoC and Malakal town. These activities immediately gained the type of momentum needed to MULTI- ETHNIC WOMEN'S DIALOGUE IN MALAKAL PHOTO BY incorporate demographics beyond women. EMMANUEL CHANGUN
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 16 The resulting dialogue broke new ground in relations between leaders (male and female) from the PoC and town, involving traditional and religious leaders as well. Two critical elements emerged from the dialogue:
1.) It was spearheaded and owned by women, who took the initiative and kept up the pressure on local authorities; and, 2.) The Morning Star tool was successfully integrated to improve channels of communication between the two groups – a useful strategy that will be replicated as VISTAS moves forward with inter-communal mediation activities in Upper Nile.
In June 2017, VISTAS team in Jonglei conducted a Dinka-Nuer Post-Migration Conference in Duk Padiet. This activity supported a three-day conference that included the provision of material support, logistics, refreshments, and meals for 60 participants. This enabled key Dinka and Nuer stakeholders to discuss critical migration matters such as seasonal grazing access, migration routes, resources, regulations, trade and security, as well as how current events adversely affected the annual migration. Also during this quarter, the VISTAS team in Jonglei supported a Dinka and Nuer traditional leaders’ peace meeting in Duk Padiet. VISTAS, in partnership with UNDP, conducted the two-day consultative peace dialogue that brought together traditional chiefs, SAFER CATTLE MIGRATION GROUP DISCUSSION MVOLO COUNTY. PHOTO BY - RICHARD OBWAYA. youth representatives, women and traders, from Hol and Nyarweng Dinka of Duk County, Gawaar Nuer of Ayod and Lou Nuer of Uror. The activity helped build cross-line interdependency by providing Dinka and Nuer communities with an opportunity to discuss and explore options to address issues of: intercommunal conflict over cattle theft; revenge attacks; free movement of goods and people; deep-seated mistrust, hostilities, and suspicion owing to localized conflict; and national conflict pitting the government and the SPLM-IO against each other.
PARTICIPANTS OF THE DINKA-NUER POST MIGRATION CONFERENCE. PHOTO- BY LAWRENCE PETER. Over the year, the VISTAS team in Lakes supported over twelve different intra and inter-communal meetings/dialogues between pastoralist communities and farmers as well as among cattle keepers. The dialogues brought conflicting communities together to dialogue on safer and violence-free cattle
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 17 migrations, peaceful co-existence, and cross border trade. In all meetings, a number of resolutions were agreed upon and they remain as guiding principles in future relationships between these communities.
Examples of resolutions were:
● Formation of the Joint Border Peace Committee – this committee will be in accordance with the customary laws together with the provisions in the local Government Act of 2009.
● Establishment of effective Inter-states conflict early warning, response and communication mechanisms (these have since been established).
In collaboration with UNMISS–CAD, VISTAS organized a five-state peaceful coexistence conference in Mvolo in Amadi state. The aim was to deliberate on how to regulate cattle movement and ensure security along the borders of participating states. The event brought together five state government officials from Amadi, Terekeka, Gok, Western and Eastern Lakes states. It was a follow-on to the community dialogues held earlier in the greater Lakes area. The conference came out with a number of resolutions aimed at better preparedness and response to cyclical cattle raiding across the borders and cattle migration regulations. Over 1,000 pastoral and farmers’ households along the migratory routes of Lakes State were reached. This activity was implemented to build cross-line interdependency to promote peaceful existence.
TRADITIONAL AUTHORITY COURT IN MARIAL BAAI. PHOTO BY- SANTINO BOL
In FY17 Q1, VISTAS in NBeG supported the construction and completion of two Traditional Authority Courts in Marial Baai (Aweil West) and Jaac (Aweil North). The courts were constructed to facilitate both Dinka and Rizeigat chiefs to preside over cross-border community cases. One of the major problems identified by the judges was inadequate security owing to the lack of an enclosed space where cases were being heard. The lack of a private space to provide judgments resulted in conflict among the community members that disagreed with the rulings given by judges. As a result of VISTAS support, the judges no longer need to operate under trees in the public eye, and can now handle up to 40 cases per week, up from ten per week prior to the buildings. This is expected to encourage people from both communities to bring their cases to the court instead of resorting to violence and vigilantism.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 18 TO PROMOTE A MORE INFORMED COMMUNITY
VISTAS promotes access to reliable and trustworthy information for communities in critical areas in order to mitigate misinformation that could lead to further tensions and conflict. Under this objective, VISTAS implemented 19 projects worth $2,314,603 in FY17.
Most of these activities were to provide critical operational support to media outlets. The program’s support increased these entities’ ability to provide objective and reliable information, and increased the size and diversity of the audiences they reach. Other activities focused on theoretical and practical training for journalists and youth theater.
In FY17 Q3, VISTAS team in Jonglei supported a Peace Journalism Training for radio journalists in Bor. The training was aimed at improving the capacity of 30 radio journalists from Radio Jonglei 95.9FM in Bor and Pibor Community Radio in Pibor through a 30-day media training in support of accurate, balanced, and impartial journalism. The training consisted of a five-day training on theory and 25-days of on-the-job practical training. The training covered the following themes: (1) conflict-sensitive reporting and news programming with emphasis on accurate, balanced, objective, and impartial journalism, (2) script writing, radio programming, audio production and news collection and production, (3) investigative reporting and political journalism, and (4) financial marketing, radio station management and monetization via advertisement and donors' support. The training and improved working conditions of journalists greatly enhanced the profile of the two radio stations as centers for intra and inter- community peaceful interaction in Jonglei State.
In FY 17 Q3, the VISTAS team in Lakes brought together local journalists and local authorities from the greater Lakes states for a five-day training on human rights journalism and media laws and codes of conduct. The aim of the training was to increase local journalists’ understanding of the roles they play in their communities and society, and promote objective reporting. Over 75 local journalists completed the training and 25 representatives from each of the newly created states of Gok, Eastern and Western Lakes attended the training. South Sudanese media and human rights practitioners conducted the training.
During Q4, the VISTAS team in NBeG utilized the LOCAL JOURNALISTS PARTICPATE IN THE TRAINING. PHOTO BY – KACHUOL DEER. power of theatre to disseminate peace messages through an activity titled NBeG Theater for Peace. This activity engaged youth in music, dance and drama activities across a myriad of issues affecting the society as a means to dissuade them from engaging in conflict. The activity targeted school-going and out of school youth through the use of theatre in a bid to facilitate youth dialogue around pertinent conflict and trauma issues facing their communities. The activity kicked off with facilitated trainings by South Sudan Theatre Organization that later led up to a two-day theatre for peace festival in the recently rehabilitated taekwondo center in Aweil town. While this activity will continue into the next fiscal year, it has thus far been effective in addressing some of the key issues affecting youth that could serve as potential conflict drivers. The festival attracted participation of 110 students from ten schools, four community drama groups, local artists including thousands of students, and the local Aweil community as part of the audience.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 19 In Jonglei FY17 Q1, VISTAS supported the Jonglei Institute for Peace, Democracy and Development (JIPDD) to support accurate, balanced, and impartial citizen engagement in the peace process by providing an internet café to local media actors in Bor, Jonglei State, through creation of an operational website and bringing on board an editor to ensure fair and balanced reporting. This activity was intended to help reduce the political manipulation and misinformation directed towards and perpetuated by the youth, through social media, and will enhance social media as a platform to mobilize youth for peace and reconciliation. In the same region, VISTAS supported the electrification of Radio Jonglei 95.9FM to enable the station to re-start programming.
During FY17 Q1, the VISTAS team in Lakes supported the commemoration of the International Peace Day by providing logistical and technical support to the Peace Commission Coordination Office to conduct three international peace day events in Rumbek, Yirol and Cueibet. The events consisted of different activities including peace messaging from political, religious, traditional and civil society organization leaders, cultural dances, peace songs, and a football match. Over 3,000 fans both female and FOOTBALL TEAMS FROM WULU AND RUMBEK CENTER COUNTY male attended the three international peace – PHOTO BY RICHARD OBWAYA events.
During the year, VISTAS has supported two South Sudan-focused shortwave radio broadcasts for Eye Radio and Radio Tamazuj. Tamazuj is one of the most independent and reliable media outlets in South Sudan. Their nationwide coverage of South Sudan, encompassing both national and local news, is unparalleled, and the shortwave service allows news coverage to reach even the most remote parts of the country. Radio Tamazuj through both its shortwave broadcasts in Arabic and its English language website is a critical source of information in South Sudan. Eye Radio has used VISTAS support to repackage their 24-hour FM programming into four-hour shortwave blocks, which can be listened to by the majority of the country that does not have access to FM radio. Eye Radio Shortwave broadcasts in Juba Arabic and English, and has six different local languages that feature once a week each – making it the only news outlet in the country that provides content in a number of local languages. This support places VISTAS in the pivotal position of supporting the only two shortwave broadcasts focused on South Sudan. Even with limited radios available in remote areas, the VISTAS M&E team has shown that there are some individuals in the majority of remote communities who listen to these broadcasts and can then share the information more widely. VISTAS also replaced two Eye Media generators under a separate grant, which reduces ongoing maintenance costs and will support the station for the next five years.
Since April 2017, VISTAS team in Juba has supported the Juba Monitor, the most independent English language newspaper in the country. VISTAS support came at a critical time as the Monitor was close to shutting down due to financial issues. Due to VISTAS support, the Monitor has grown from 12 to 16 pages daily, increased circulation and added specific sections on peacebuilding, gender, health and education.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 20 TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES IN TRAUMA AWARENESS TO LAY THE FOUNDATION FOR HEALING AND RECONCILIATION
VISTAS helps communities understand how trauma has perpetuated historical tensions so that they can begin to bridge these divides, paving the way to reconciliation. Under this objective, VISTAS implemented 20 projects worth $2,044,447 in FY17.
VISTAS Morning Star activities in 2017 fell into three distinct practice areas:
A. Theater and Radio Tools for Trauma Awareness were implemented from October 2016 to September 2017. The grantee, South Sudan Theater Organization (SSTO), was supported to develop, produce and perform trauma awareness plays on the streets, in schools and as radio dramas. The plays covered themes of tribalism, domestic violence, rape, cattle raiding and revenge killings, all social taboos in South Sudanese society. The plays depicted the relationship between the aforementioned taboos and trauma. During the performances, interaction between the audiences and artists was encouraged, to try to suggest solutions to the depicted situations. In total, fifteen street theater performances were conducted in various locations in Juba, with great success. Each performance was attended by more than 300 people, resulting in over 4,500 beneficiaries. The same plays were acted and recorded as radio dramas and broadcasted on seven radio stations across South Sudan. At the same time SSTO worked with school drama groups from six secondary schools in Juba, training them in the trauma sensitive plays. The climax of the activity was the first ever National Trauma Awareness Festival, held in Juba in August 2017 and attended by more than 2,000 participants. The young artists from six secondary school drama groups and SSTO members performed at the Festival. The Festival attracted widespread media coverage, from both
MEMBERS OF SSTO PERFORM TRAUMA SENSITIVE PLAY “KASARA” IN LOLOGO, JUBA. PHOTO BY- MARKO SMOKVINA.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 21 international and local networks5. It resulted in much interest and appreciation, which led to the development of a similar activity to be implemented in all regions.
B. Technical and Psychological Support for Morning Star Master Trainers was organized in the form of ongoing one-on-one consultations with technical and psychological experts. Master Trainers arranged these one-on-one sessions through Skype and telephone conversations. In addition, VISTAS conducted a two-week long in-service training, consisting of two parts. The first part was a psychological debriefing session to address secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and re- traumatization that might have occurred during the implementation of various trauma awareness tools across South Sudan. The second part of the in-service training was a review of technical aspects of the curriculum and facilitation skills to discuss various aspects of the curriculum, ensure a deeper comprehension of the content, and standardize content delivery and presentation. Part of the in-service-training included a study tour to Kigali Genocide Memorial and memorial centers around Kigali, followed by discussions as an opportunity to learn from the historical context of the Rwandan genocide and Rwandan experience in peace building, reconciliation, resilience and renewal.
MASTER TRAINERS VISITING KIGALI GENOCIDE MEMORIAL. PHOTO BY - CHUOL YIEN CHAOT
C. Training of additional Morning Star Master Trainers was conducted from June to July 2017. A new group of ten Master Trainers was trained and recruited to respond to an overwhelming need for trauma awareness activities across the country. The three-week long training consisted of three components: 1) Strategies for Trauma Awareness and Resilience (STAR I), providing the basic foundation in understanding trauma concepts, which is essential to understanding Morning Star tools; 2) Morning Star Training of Trainers (MS TOT) to orient new Master Trainers on Morning Star tools; and 3) Facilitation skills training to offer skills and methodological approaches to deliver Morning Star sessions. After the training, the ten individuals were deployed to VISTAS’ regional offices. This brought the number of Master trainers in each region to two, creating more self-
5 Aljazeera. (2017, August 26). Mobile theatre confronts social taboos in South Sudan [Video file]. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from http://www.aljazeera.com/video/news/2017/08/mobile-theatre-confronts-social-taboos-south-sudan- 170826103140304.html
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 22 reliance in implementing Morning Star tools, and thus enhancing VISTAS’ capacity to respond to the need and requests for trauma awareness activities.
PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND LESSONS LEARNED
During FY17, VISTAS worked with Management Services International (MSI) on its Learning Assessment of the VISTAS program. The purpose of the assessment was to document the program’s effectiveness and challenges against the stated objectives during the life of the program to date. The final report was presented to USAID in July 2017.
The assessment found that VISTAS had adapted well to the changing political and security context of South Sudan and demonstrated strategic relevance and appropriateness with regards to USAID strategy - due to its layering of project activities, solid partnerships, operational capabilities, purposeful geographic targeting, and a solid approach to including gender - but that its relevance could be further strengthened with some adjustments.
The assessment found that VISTAS used a bottom-up flow of information and lessons learned – regional level to Juba, but the top-down feedback loops should be strengthened. It also recommended that whereas, VISTAS could respond with agility, its resources were at times spread across vast areas and VISTAS should consider leaving areas where it had worked for a long time to address new hotspots.
Other salient challenges presented in the report included VISTAS having too many activities in certain areas without proper layering, key staff turnover especially at USAID, sustainability issues not being fully addressed and need for emphasis on better guidance for grantees on communication and learning.
Keeping in mind the recommendations from the assessment, during Q4, VISTAS regional teams developed capacity building plans for each of our higher performing grantees, with an eye towards towards sustainability after VISTAS ends in July 2017.
Since the MSI report, VISTAS started four new activities worth $350,000 in new hotspots such as Wau and Yambio.
During Q4, VISTAS conducted a rolling assessment in which each of the seven regional teams did sequencing and layering exercises for all their activities since the start of VISTAS and clustered them around major thematic areas such as cattle migration, traditional authorities, national identity and youth mobilization. This proved to be a great opportunity for all the regions to look at what type of clustering worked in particular regions so that it could be emulated in others. For example, taking the lead from successful clustering of activities around cattle migration in NBeG, Upper Nile came out of the rolling assessment with a plan to focus their future activities on establishing joint border peace committees along the border with Sudan which would then hold cattle migration meetings with their Sudanese counterparts along the Upper Nile border with Sudan to enable peaceful cattle migration in the region.
The VISTAS Upper Nile team also faced a huge disruption after the office in Pagak was looted in August 2017, as a result of which all activities needed to be suspended and subsequently closed out. A few activities were still in the implementation phase but will not be completed due to the team having been evacuated and unable to return indefinitely, as at the time of this report, fighting between the SPLA and SPLA-IO continued in the region.
To gauge the effectiveness of its infrastructure grants and to understand their role in peace building process, VISTAS conducted an internal cluster evaluation on infrastructure projects – i.e., to assess best practices and lessons learned from sequencing, layering, and integration. Thirty four projects were part of the study, and the evaluation team found that the implemented activities, such as developing
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 23 infrastructure and providing equipment to local institutions, civil society organizations, community leadership, building multipurpose spaces and markets, have proven effective in relation to the overall project objective to contribute to peace building, coexistence and interdependency among communities from different ethnic groups.
As recommendations, the evaluation found that VISTAS would benefit from a stronger analysis and identification of conflict drivers in each state. The final report also emphasized the need for concepts such a conflict sensitivity, do-no-harm, and gender considerations be built in the grant design and implementation phase. Although there are no large construction projects planned for FY18, VISTAS will make a more concerted effort to incorporate conflict sensitivity principals during the design phase of construction projects going forward.
VI. IMPACT
The VISTAS M&E team evaluated 87 activities during FY17 and estimated the actual number of beneficiaries to be 143,508.
During FY17, the Morning Star program reached an estimated 10,000 beneficiaries, who directly participated in various Morning Star trauma-related activities. These included participants of Morning Star trauma awareness sessions, audience of the street theater performances by South Sudan Theatre Organization and estimated listeners of radio drama broadcasts. Of the 4,555 direct participants of 124 trauma awareness sessions 1,640 were women. Feedback from participants pointed to the great success of the program in terms of healing and laying a foundation for reconciliation. Some of the quotes from participants are as follows:
● [Male participant on a female facilitator] ”I personally didn’t think of you managing to stand in front of us and teach us [group of men] looking at what and how our culture looks at women, but you are very different, knowledgeable and very strong and you were able to stay around despite the security threats in our area”
● “In this five-day training I select three things I will go and practice. First, you need to reconcile with the people you quarreled. I will go to people I quarreled with and ask them to reconcile. Second, I will organize a meeting with my family to discuss what is going wrong and what is going good. Third, this knowledge, because I am an Evangelist in church, I will take it to people in church and tell them about the training. I will tell them that, as Christians, we should forgive.”
● “What happened here should have happened all over South Sudan. This is no ordinary thing… These people have been looking for help for a long time. This teaching has been our wish for a long time.”
The most significant impact of VISTAS programming in Upper Nile was to forge ties between the displaced Shilluk/Nuer population of the PoC and the Dinka community in Malakal town. Five projects worked on achieving this objective from different angles, and VISTAS is now at the center of an interagency effort to encourage reintegration in Malakal town. Six inter-communal meetings have taken place as a direct result of VISTAS’ intervention. Half of the workers employed on construction projects in Malakal town are from within the PoC as a direct result of VISTAS’ intervention. More importantly, for the first time since the July 2013 conflict, youth have demonstrated an increased enthusiasm for further interaction and integration across ethnic lines.
In Unity State, VISTAS activities have had significant impact in the past year, particularly as the pace of our implementation has increased since the return from ordered departure in January 2017. The primary impact of the VISTAS was in engaging youth in an effort to counter youth mobilization into
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 24 formal or informal armed groups or into criminal behavior – either as an economic means or through sheer boredom. VISTAS distributed sports equipment in Bentiu PoC and in southern Unity (with a third distribution expected soon to cover Bentiu and Rubkona towns and the PoC again). This has had dramatic positive impact. More youth than ever are competing in sports activities. The PoC now plays host to three age-group leagues each comprising seven or eight teams, with approximately 340 players in total. In Ganyliel and Nyal, over 500 youth attended the recent distribution of sports equipment and the nascent tournament is already proving a success. Anecdotal evidence suggests that mobilization has decreased in large part to the sports grant and from other projects such as vocational training, trauma awareness and conflict management training.
The outcomes of other intervention areas are yet to bear fruit but are promising. VISTAS grants to support BBC Media Action are in progress and will allow greater access to information for people in Unity and across the country as 1,200 windup radios and 2,400 pre-programmed SD cards are delivered to families. Support has been delivered to community based organizations like AMA, UNIDO and ACR while institutions such as Panyijiar traditional law makers, the Northern Lich Council of ministers, teachers, elders, youth leaders and women’s groups have benefitted from training and trauma awareness workshops. Economic empowerment has seen the completion of the second Tripartite Trade Conference, the construction of an office for the traders union in Panyijiar, and vocational training for 100 youth in Bentiu PoC.
In Juba, all of VISTAS support for independent media was important, at a time when suppression of the media is on the rise, and there is already limited access to information. The three media houses supported by VISTAS (Eye Radio, Tamazuj and Juba Monitor) have as a result continued independent reporting and journalism during the reporting period.
VISTAS media grants have been successful in maintaining some space for independent media, which is otherwise closing down due to government or financial pressures. VISTAS activities bringing together people from different ethnic groups (Ana Taban, Girl Guides, and SSYLF) have all been successful in their own right; however, given the scale of ethnic issues and isolation in Juba, this really only represents a small step towards impacting the broader situation.
In the Akobo region, VISTAS programming made sizable contributions to improving inter-communal relations between the Lou Nuer and Murle, as well as between the Lou and Jikany Nuer communities. As a result of VISTAS initiatives during the reporting period, the aforementioned communities continued to honor the peace agreements that had been reached; no major inter-communal incidents were reported in the last twelve months. Intra-communal tensions in the region have also improved during this reporting period with a significantly lesser number of revenge killings reported in the last twelve months compared to previous year (i.e., five vs 20).
In Lakes, the team applied the lessons learnt from years of successful programming around ensuring peaceful cattle migration between the border communities in NBeG to start grassroots dialogues geared towards ensuring a peaceful mitigation between the Lakes and Equatoria region. As a result, for the first time twelve community-level migratory committees in separate locations were established, which would ensure a peacefully sanctioned animal migration between the regions. Through VISTAS’ efforts, an inter- state (five states from Warrap, Lakes, Equatoria region) committee was formed and started working on pre- and post-migration conferences.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 25 VII. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
GENERAL During FY17, VISTAS faced continuous challenges, both operational and administrative. Most importantly, remote management of VISTAS activities from Nairobi from July 2016 until permanent return to South Sudan in January 2017. Since the return, the security situation in the country improved only in Juba and deteriorated in other parts of the country. The economic situation worsened in all parts of South Sudan, which heavily affected operational support to project activities. Regular changes of administrative rules (security and cash clearances, different cash limitations, changes of vehicles license plates, lengthy issuance of work permits and driving licenses, registration process with RRC, etc.) have been taking a lot of time and effort and required logistics, procurement and finance to double their efforts in order to keep up with the implementation requirements.
The markets saw a lack of basic commodities, while experiencing daily currency devaluation. The street rate for U.S. dollar (USD) was 75 SSP in October 2016, and had increased to around 190 SSP by September 2017, amounting to an almost 250% annual inflation rate. This is in comparison to the government’s official rate of SSP:USD of 118:1.
STAFFING FY17 saw recruitment of both national (CCN) and international staff for various long- and short-term positions. VISTAS team grew from having a total of 87 CCN’s on September 30, 2016 to 136 at the end of FY17, which helped clear 50% more activities than FY16. These activities are valued at approximately $14.8 million, 30% more than FY16, and disbursements of approximately $9.9 million in program funding, which represented an increase of 36% from FY16.
During the reporting period, VISTAS supported 17 employees for both short- and long-term education in fields relevant to their scope of work. Some of these included symposiums on conflict resolution, M&E courses and IT trainings.
The HR department with support from Senior Management and consultations with the legal counsel, successfully completed the HR Manual in December 2016 and secured the approval of the National Ministry of Labor, Public Service and Human Resource Development in February 2017.
During FY17, the HR & Administration department was also able to support the implementation of grants through successful and timely recruitment of over 200 short-term technical assistants for all the program teams.
FINANCE The Finance department saw significant improvements during FY17. Vendor payments were processed much faster than previous years after the shift from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) to Ecobank and Barclays bank. This reduced complaints from the vendors about delays in payment processing and increased program efficiencies. The Finance department was able to average over $2 million/month of payments in the last two quarters of FY17.
Funds transfer to field locations was a challenge during FY17, as KCB, which had branches in all of the former ten states and was therefore the bank of choice for VISTAS field sites, closed down most of its branches. This affected transfer of funds to field sites, and required the Finance department to use more costly forex bureaus for that purpose. Furthermore, the Government of South Sudan’s imposition of
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 26 restrictions on conversion of USD at the controlled Bank of South Sudan rate of 117 SSP to 1 USD, which is much lower than the street rate, led to higher operational costs when doing conversions using forex bureaus.
LOGISTICS Despite facing challenges such as high insecurity and bad weather during FY17, the logistics team transported over 340 tons of in-kind grants items to eight field sites across South Sudan.
A full inventory of VISTAS assets was done in Juba and all field offices during June and July 2017. The property books were reconciled and the annual inventory report was completed. As the part of the VISTAS closeout process and disposition of assets, the logistics department successfully disposed of a number of obsolete NXP as approved by USAID.
PROCUREMENT During FY17, the Procurement department purchased supplies for over 166 grants. These included a wide range of major purchases such as windup radios, highly specialized Photo Voltaic systems, library books, and shortwave Radio broadcast services.
In collaboration with the Engineering team, Procurement supported bid solicitation, and contract award to20 construction projects worth over $2.8 million. These included Traditional Authority Courts, Women’s Centers, Youth Centers, and a boat dock.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 27 ANNEX A: FINANCIAL INFORMATION (FOR INTERNAL USAID USE ONLY)
A B C D E F = C + D + E Total Actual, Projected Total Approved Obligated Costs Incurred Projections Accruals Sept Expenditures through
Budget (Mod 11) Amount through Invoice 48 FY18Q1 2017 FY18Q1, and Sept Accruals Project Management $56,577,951 $53,584,000 $40,495,836 $2,436,849 Costs TAP $50,042,568 $33,648,251 $29,053,670 $1,409,732 Fixed Fee $3,858,436 $3,698,000 $2,811,849 $242,622 TOTAL $ 110,478,956 $90,930,251 $72,361,355 $4,089,203 $950,000 $5,039,203
Budget Lines:
Project Management Costs = direct contractor activity (and indirect costs). Operational costs are inclusive of grant handling charge.
TAP = TAP STTA, Training, DDGS, and GUC
Column A – Represents the Total Estimated Cost (TEC) per the award.
Column B – Obligated Amount represents the amount obligated per the latest modification/amendment.
Column C – Costs expended and paid by the Contractor that have been billed to USAID. Costs incurred to date should be within the last 30 days or latest date available.
Column D – Projected expenditures for the associated period.
Column E – Accruals for September 2017
Column F – Total Actual and Projected Expenditures for the associated period and June 2016 accruals.
Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS)/ FY2017 Annual Report
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 28 ANNEX B: SCHEDULE OF UPCOMING EVENTS
DATE LOCATION ACTIVITY Late Oct Juba In-Service training for Master Trainers Oct – Nov Across South Sudan Trauma sensitive street theater performances by SSTO Oct - Nov Juba and other locations Trauma awareness activities for various groups of beneficiaries. Oct 11 Juba Girl Guide’s Celebration of International Girl Child Day Oct to Mid-Nov Juba POC3 Ongoing lectures for university level students Juba – Aggrey Jaden Oct 1, 8, 15 Ana Taban Poetry Slams / Open Mics Cultural Center Nov/Dec Juba Additional Girl Guide and Ana Taban Activites Oct/Nov Nationwide Ongoing Eye Radio Shortwave Broadcasts Oct – Mar Juba 6-Day Per Week Juba Monitor publishing Mid - Late Oct Gokmachar Furnishing and Equipping of Gokamachar Youth Office 2017 Late Oct- Early Dinka Malual – Misseriya Youth’s Carpentry Vocational Training Wanyjok Nov 2017 (continuation) Late Sept – Early Aweil Town, NBGS Theatre for Peace (Continuation) Nov 2017 Wanyjok/Nyamlel Late Sept– Late Livelihood and capacity building Experts for MACAHWA Wanyjok and Marialbaai Nov 2017 (continuation) Procurement of Photovoltaic Solar System and Marram for Late Nov Aweil town Aweil FM Radio Station Late Sept – Late Various locations in NBG NBeG – Trauma Awareness Sessions Apr 2018 region Late Sep-Mid Various locations (Cueibet, Enhance Rumbek Local Football Association Basic Technical Dec 2017 Rumbek & Yirol) Skills Mid-Sep-mid Feb Rumbek Center County Radio Content - Let’s build Our Nation II 2018 Late Sep-mid Rumbek Center County Inter Schools Peace Messaging Clubs- Rumbek Center County Dec 2017 Late Sep-mid Rumbek East County Inter Schools Peace Messaging Clubs- Rumbek East County Dec 2017 Late Sep-Late Skills Enhancement and Equipment -Rumbek Youth Resource Rumbek Center County Oct 2017 Centre Late Sep-Late Rumbek Center County To Equip and Furnish Rumbek TAC Nov 2017 Late Sep- Late Rumbek Center County Equipping Rumbek Women Resource Center Nov 2017
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 29 ANNEX C: REGION-SPECIFIC INFORMATION
172 CLEARED ACTIVITIES FY17
UPPERNILE Akobo-Pibor 15% 11% NBG … LAKES 13%
UNITY ROVING 11% 2%
MORNING-STAR 9%
JONGLEI 11% JUBA 16%
123 COMPLETED ACTIVITIES FY17
ROVING LAKES AKOBO-PIBOR 1% 7% 7% MORNING-STAR NBG 8% 15%
UPPERNILE 11%
UNITY 13%
JUBA 21% JONGLEI 17%
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 30 ANNEX D: PROGRESS ON INDICATOR TARGETS
Total FY17 INDICATOR FY17 Actuals Variance Targets
The increase can be attributed to the over 50% increase in activities in FY17 as compared to FY16. Due to increased Number of new groups or initiatives created efficiencies, capacity and 50 137 through USG funding, dedicated to resolving expanded programming in new the conflict or the drivers of conflict. target locations, such as outside PoC’s, Pagak and Equatorias, VISTAS was able to reach more groups.
As stated above, the increase is Number of people participating in USG- attributed to increased and supported events, training, or activities 20,710 88,844 more efficient programming in designed to build mass support for peace and reconciliation. new regions. During FY17, VISTAS focused on fewer campaigns that were larger in scope, such as support Number of USG-assisted campaigns and to Eye-Radio and Radio programs to enhance public understanding, 17 11 Tamazuj. While fewer in NGO support, and media coverage of number, these campaigns judicial independence and accountability. reached more beneficiaries, as evidenced by the indicators above.
Although VISTAS was short of the required 35% mark of substantive women participation, FY17 saw a Number of local women participating in a marked improvement on the substantive role or position in a peace 35% 32% 25% achieved during FY16. building process supported with USG assistance VISTAS will continue to focus on programming to further improve women’s participation in FY18.
Increase attributed to reasoning Number of consensus building forums held 20 38 presented above. with USG assistance that end in agreement
Number of initiatives or events that include Increase attributed to reasoning 45 147 peace messaging or increase access to presented above. information among communities Increase attributed to higher Number of beneficiaries with improved number of construction 15,000 37,804 access to critical infrastructure, such as activities (20) than in any service delivery, trade and training previous fiscal year.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 31 ANNEX E: SUCCESS STORIES
Theater Promotes Trauma Awareness in South Sudan
USAID helps communities Theatre is a powerful way of conveying messages with the aim of stimulating community action to address problems, understand how trauma has especially ones which are considered taboo. perpetuated historical tensions According to research done in 2015, 41% of South Sudanese between them and begins to bridge exhibited symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress these divides, paving the way for disorder, rates comparable to those of post-genocide reconciliation. Rwanda and post-genocide Cambodia.
Identifying a window of opportunity, USAID through South Sudan Theater Organization (SSTO) in collaboration with its VISTAS Morning Star program organized the first ever National Trauma Awareness Festival in South Sudan, held at Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba in August 2017. The Festival was held under the theme “Morning Star Trauma Awareness Program in South Sudan: Healing and Reconciliation – Empowering Communities through Theater and Radio.”
Stephen Wani, VISTAS South Sudan South VISTAS Wani, Stephen The festival marked the culmination of intensive, year-long activities done by SSTO on dissemination of trauma
Photo: Photo: awareness tools through theater and radio. The SSTO team, Nile Model Secondary School drama group, at Trauma Awareness Festival, Juba, South Sudan trained by Morning Star in trauma awareness skills, developed five trauma sensitive plays. These plays covered themes of tribalism, domestic violence, rape, cattle raiding and revenge killings – all taboo subjects in South Sudan. SSTO artists used mobile theater to confront the subjects and demonstrate the manifestations of unhealed trauma to “I would like to say this drama the community. Dramas based on the above themes were performance is showing the impact performed by SSTO artists in five different locations in Juba of trauma on the community of and in six secondary schools by the school drama groups South Sudan, especially due to the trained by SSTO. The festival was attended by more than conflict in the country. I would like 1000 people, and brought together students and teachers to thank this organization for from all six schools, Ministry of Education representatives, as making this theater performance well as many spectators who were primarily youth. take place across South Sudan Through interactive performances SSTO was able to engage with members of the audience during the plays in order to David Oku, try to resolve the depicted controversial situations. Both the Freelance Reporter actors and the audience showed great interest in the festival, Audience Member proving that interactive trauma awareness tools were a great way to engage young people on these topics. The event attracted both international and local media houses, including Al Jazeera, whose coverage highlighted the theater tools used by SSTO to address taboo subjects such as trauma.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 32 Local Peace Agreement Reinstates Calm in Gbudue State
USAID uses dissemination workshops The 2016 peace agreement brokered in Greater Western as platforms to curb misinformation Equatoria region of South Sudan between a rebel faction, promote a more informed South Sudan National Liberation Movement (SSNLM) and community about local peace the State Government of Gbudue, remains a hallmark in agreements. the cessation of hostilities in the region. USAID through its VISTAS program convened workshops in the newly formed Gbudue State to disseminate the agreement through the Interfaith Group - a prominent group of peace actors in Greater Western Equatoria comprising of Christian and Muslim leaders under the leadership of the Catholic Bishop of the Yambio Diocese. Under this activity, 11 workshops were conducted between June 2016 – April 2017 across the state, notably at Yambio County Headquarters, Birisi SSLNM Cantonment Area, Bethlehem Parish, Gangura, Nabiapai,
John Gaka, VISTAS South Sudan South VISTAS Gaka, John and Nzara County. The workshops were attended by 3,778 participants of which 1415 were female. These
Photo: Photo: locations were chosen as they were most affected by the conflict with residents from there fleeing to Yambio town and bordering countries. “I am now able to freely clear my land and cultivate after this peace agreement and Prior to the agreement and its dissemination, tensions this workshop by VISTAS, which was not were extremely high in the region, both the SSNLM members and government soldiers were suspected of the case before” looting, burning houses and torturing civilians.
Kpiorani Martin, The workshops delved into the content of the agreement Farmer speaking at workshop in Gangura. paying particular emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of the government and former rebels with a view of encouraging citizens to own the agreement and to build confidence around it. The feedback received from the participants during and after the workshops was very encouraging. Common responses included; that the VISTAS workshops enlightened participants about the core aspects of the agreement and renewed hope for lasting peace in the region.
The agreement and its dissemination played a major role in the return of the local populus to their areas of origin, schools being re-opened and more importantly the resumption of agricultural activities; which are the main source of livelihood for the locals. Since the dissemination campaign, locals have resumed farming activities which has revitalized business in Nabiapai market.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 33
Peacebuilding through Local Women’s Associations
USAID enhances the positive role In Lakes State, women across the Dinka tribe are extremely women can play in conflict affected by violence, including inter-clan violence and gender- resolution and reconciliation in based violence (GBV). Women are excluded from social, South Sudan economic, and political processes which limit their ability to voice their concerns and participate in positive leadership
positions. However, women are not solely passive victims of ongoing inter-clan conflict and violence, but they also encourage and perpetuate violence by reinforcing expectations that men should provide for their families, often done through singing songs of praise when men return after a successful cattle raid. Given the pivotal role that women play in Dinka society, their isolation and non-participation in conflict mitigation runs the risk of severely hampering the healing and reconciliation process among different sub clans. To address these issues VISTAS implemented the Support to
Women’s Capacity to Mitigate Conflict activity. Supporting the Photo: VISTAS Rumbek, South Sudan South Rumbek, VISTAS Photo: Secretariat of the Lakes State Women’s Association Lakes State Women’s Association, this activity brought together outside the newly built center in Rumbek. women leaders throughout Lakes State for a series of consultative meetings to enhance women’s roles in decision- making functions in conflict settlement and peace processes. “VISTAS has really done a lot for us to Although the rainy season made roads difficult to traverse, over reach our women at the grassroots 700 women participated in the various meetings, far exceeding [level]. Because of VISTAS, people have the 210 women initially expected. Not only did these meetings understood that our people can do serve as a space for women to come together and discuss the issues they faced in their communities, but they were also able something in the communities and how to discuss how to involve women in the peace building process. women can bring peace to the One of the most critical ways to involve women in the peace community.” building process highlighted in these meetings was to bring women together throughout the various counties in Lakes State Agum Joseph Kuc, to network. Chairlady of the Lakes State Women’s Throughout the meetings, the participants expressed the need Association. for women’s multipurpose centers in their communities to act as a networking hub and to address women’s issues, promoting peace building. In response to the needs expressed in these meetings, VISTAS has built two women’s association centers, one in Rumbek and one in Cueibet. Each women’s resource center aims to train over 500 women and provide activities and resources to many more. The resource centers will raise awareness around GBV, provide peace and conflict mitigation training, small business training, and adult education. In the coming year, VISTAS will finish furnishing each of the women’s association centers with the materials needed to operate and work with the Lakes State Women’s Association to build their operational capacity.
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 34
U.S. Agency for International Development
www.usaid.gov
FY 2017 Annual Report/ Viable Support to Transition and Stability (VISTAS) 35