S. Sudan’s Jonglei state citizens commemorate World Peace Day
September 21, 2015 (BOR) – Forgiveness, trust building and reconciliations were among the key pillars for peaced discussed during this year’s international peace day marked in South Sudan’s Jonglei state capital, Bor on Monday.
The international peace day, is globally celebrated on 21 September each year. In South Sudan this year, South Sudan council of churches organised peace day celebrations in the provincial capitals of Torit, Yambio, Malakal, Kuajok, Rumbek, Juba and Bor.
The United Nations secretary general Ban Ki-Moon, in a statement, called for human rights to peace, demanding an end of impunity that prevailed around the world.
He urged South Sudan’s warring parties to lay down their weapons and observe global ceasefire.
Alois Sikuka, a security specialist at UNDP, conveyed Ki-Moon’s message to the public.
“Stop the killings and the destructions and create space for lasting peace”, partly noted the UN secretary general’s statement read to the public gathered in Bor.
Sikuka also urged the people of South Sudan to work for sustainable peace collectively.
“Here in South Sudan, that we now have peace agreement that has been signed, the observance of international day of peace provides valuable opportunity to remind ourselves that only join efforts can lead to sustainable peace in the country,” he said.
Further added the UN official, “The task of implementing the agreement and working toward lasting peace can only be achieved through long term collaborations among all South Sudanese citizens and institutions across existing device”.
The governor of Jonglei state John Kong, advised the public to desist from words likely to derail peace, citing the use of hate speeches and comments capable of slowing down the government’s efforts to achieve total peaceful co-existence among communities.
“This problem started with a words, bad words that brought people to fighting”, said Kong, in reference to the start of the South Sudanese crisis in mid December 2013.
“Even when there is ceasefire, if bad words are being used, ceasefire will not work. That is why we are here to support our president, in his efforts of making peace”, he added.
Kong advised the population to work for the interest of South Sudan and not individually.
James Aguer, a council of churches official, said peace would transform South Sudan’s negative culture of war.
“We have great concerns about fundamental challenges that could prevent us from achieving the nation we desire, let each and every one plays his or her role in making peace, transforming the negative culture of war, hatred and mistrust into culture of love, forgiveness, reconciliation, peace and unity”, Aguer told the gathering in Bor.
“Peace is the most precious thing in the life of every human being. We people of the RPSs, we were having and still have so many definite ideas about the nation we hope to build. We have a vision that our nation shall be a country of peace, unity, togetherness and love for all and not tribalism”, he said.
(ST)
