Jonglei marks World Peace Day
September 21, 2012 (BOR) – The international World Peace Day celebrated on 21 September has been marked in the Jonglei state capital, Bor at the Royal Junior Academy and in Panyagoor, Twice East county.
Addressing the public at Bor Royal Junior Academy, governor Kuol Manyang, told the people to be mindful about their own lives, and that peace is key to the bright future.
“We are makers of our own situations. If we want to be comfortable, we can make it, if we want to suffer, then we can make it. This peace does not come by itself, it has to be made by human beings, if you want to live in peace, you can make it and if you want live in held, you can make it,” said Manyang.
Jonglei state has been in turmoil for months due to attacks and counterattacks with cattle raiding and child abductions between the six major tribes of Nuer, DInka Bor, Murle Anuak, Jie and Kachipo, until the inter-communal peace deal was reached in May; bringing stability to the situation.
Peace is undermined by hunger, diseases, war, living in dirty environment, drinking dirty water among others, according to governor Manyang.
He appealed to the public to remain harmonious, clean their environment and use clean water in their houses.
The secretary general of the UN, Ban Ki-Moon marked the day by writing to countries urging them to work towards sustainable peace for a sustainable future.
Read during the celebration of World Peace Day in Bor by the Head of office and state coordinator for UNMISS, Ibrahim Ndiaye, the letter asked for children to be sent to schools, not to be recruited into army.
The nation should focused on human development, not deadly weapons advised the letter.
(ST)