20 February 2012

Lake States, South Sudan: While diversity should be a source of national pride, according to Lillian Amondi Bondi, a UN Volunteer and Civil Affairs Officer from Kenya, ethnic tensions in South Sudan threaten the very existence of the world’s newest nation.

South Sudan has 56 ethnic groups and about 600 sub ethnic groups. The largest group is the Dinka followed by the Nuer.  Together they account for almost half of the population and dominate the government and the army.

“Social exclusion from political and economic participation due to ethnicity has tragic consequences in South Sudan,” she says. “It enflames conflict, promotes violent confrontations and can result in loss of human life.”

“As a UN Volunteer working with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) it is imperative for me to contribute my expertise and experience to activities that mitigate social exclusion in society,” she explains. “I liaise with county government, local authorities and communities in an attempt to prevent or alleviate conflicts.”
-- Lillian Amondi Bondi, UNV Civil Affairs Officer

“The role that poverty plays in the vicious violent ethnic conflicts in South Sudan cannot be gainsaid,” she continues.  “Amongst the marginalized ethnic groups, communities clash over access to water and grazing lands.”  

“In the spirit of volunteerism and the belief that all human beings are equal and have inalienable rights to respect and dignity, my team cooperates with partners to create conditions where people can use dialogue to resolve conflict,” Lillian said.  “We organize peace conferences for opposing communities to get the people involved in finding peaceful ways to resolve their differences.”

She stresses that if left unchecked, conflicts based on ethnicity actually retard development.  “Violent ethnic confrontations contribute to food insecurity as people abandon their farms for safer ground or from fear of further attacks,” Lillian stated. “This leads to an over-reliance on imported products and perpetual need for donor assistance.”

In her spare time, Lillian continues her commitment to promoting social inclusion in South Sudan by participating in sports, cultural and other events that cut across social and ethnic barriers and promote social diversity.

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Bio: Lillian Amondi Bondi, from Kenya, is a UNV Civil Affairs Officer with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan. In her free time, Lillian continues her commitment to promoting social inclusion in South Sudan by participating in sports, cultural and other events that cut across social and ethnic barriers and promote social diversity.