20 South Sudanese journalists are receiving training on peace messaging and conflict sensitive reporting in Juba.

The five-day workshop was jointly organized by the IGAD mediation support unit and the IGAD office for Conflict Early Warning and Response Mechanism.

“The mediation support unit and CEWARN, have decided to organize this training in order to sensitize the South Sudanese media practitioners and experts on conflict sensitive reporting, peace messaging and on harnessing the power of the media in peace building and reconciling the people of South Sudan,” said Aboubakar Douale, head of IGAD Liaison office in Juba.

“This initiative which is meant to compliment the IGAD mediation effort, seeks to strengthen the capacity of the media practitioners in channeling peaceful message.

Chuol Luoth Rambang, chairman of South Sudan Peace and Reconciliation Commission, says the media should support the implementation of the IGAD-led mediation peace process for South Sudan:

“After this training, you will realize that as a journalist you have a role to play in supporting the peace process by giving accurate, non-bias and objective reports that promote peace and harmony amongst South Sudanese communities.”

The trainees represent various media houses in the country. The training ends on Friday.