In South Sudan, divided communities are turning to art and dance in a bid to boost reconciliation. Juba residents have joined those living in United Nations camps for unique sessions, aimed at opening up dialogue and promoting cultural diversity.
The world’s youngest nation descended into war in December 2013 after President Salva Kiir accused his then deputy Riek Machar of plotting to overthrow his government. Machar refuted these claims but went on to mobilize a rebel force to fight the government.
When conflict broke out, many from the Nuer ethnic group sought refuge at various UN Compounds around the country. Most have been staying there ever since, sheltered from other South Sudanese. A new programme is however hoping to unite all the country’s communities.
The nation now has a new transitional unity government in place, but reconciliation remains one of the biggest challenges for it.
The government hopes organisations like UNESCO can help ease the process of people starting to move out of the UN’s compound.
One of the ways UNESCO is planning to reintegrate these residents is through art and dance, with cultural exchange events that bring them together with communities from outside the camp.
