Conference

MONYOMIJI rule is a unique indigenous institution. Young and middle aged men collectively assume the responsibility of community and inter-community affairs for a number of years. When their years are over they hand over power to a new generation of MONYOMIJI recruited from younger age groups.

The system is practiced by a dozen ethnic groups in the vast areas of Eastern and Central Equatoria States of South Sudan. It is more than a “cultural heritage” that needs to be preserved. At the community level the MONYOMIJI play a vital role in social, economic and political affairs, up to today. It is often said that the MONYOMIJI form ‘an indigenous government.

If properly coordinated with the government and development agencies the MONYOMIJI institution can be an important asset in postwar peace-building, reconstruction and development.

In reality, however, there is a big gap in communication and in coordination between the MONYOMIJI and the government, often leading to misunderstanding and conflict. Development agencies are often completely unaware of this important resource for mobilisation for development.

The conference provides a forum where about forty representatives of the MONYOMIJI of different communities will voice their views and engage in dialogue with a matching number of state and county officials responsible for the administration of the same communities.

Representatives of the different ramifications of the civil society of the East Bank will enrich and moderate the discussions with their contributions, and be witnesses to the resolutions and recommendations.

The overall purpose of the conference is to lay a foundation for a better understanding between the MONYOMIJI on the one hand and the government and development agencies on the other. Such an understanding is an important first step towards improved governance on the East Bank.