South Sudan, the youngest nation in the world split from Sudan in 2011. However eight years later, the country is still taking baby steps towards achieving peace for her people.
In 2018 South Sudan’s president, Salva Kiir and opposition leader Riek Machar signed a peace agreement to end years of internal conflict and violence that left thousands of people dead and sent thousands into neighbouring countries as refugees.
It is against this background that the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS)brought members of the community together to help celebrate the peace deal and to work on a more durable peace solution.
In collaboration with the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission and the National Pre-Transition Committee, UNMISS’ neighborhood advocacy event was designed to create an opportunity for citizens to engage directly with each other by asking questions, sharing their views, and ensuring that there is accountability for the progress that is made towards implementing the agreement.
“We are waiting for this peace. This is what we want in South Sudan so that we can rest a bit; we have suffered enough – with poverty, war, looting on the roads, no food, no water – I really want roads to be open,” Keji, a resident of Rajaf said.
South Sudanese Vice President James Wani Igga attended the event and said full implementation of the agreement required more political will and resources. He also urged the international community to support the process.
Senior UNMISS officer Guang Cong echoed the South Sudanese Vice-President’s comments and made a promise that South Sudan will always have the UN’s support in its march toward permanent peace.
“It is not an easy journey, but the United Nations will continue to be by your side as partners for peace,” Cong said. “Thank you for your efforts you have clearly demonstrated your commitment by being here today and taking part in this event to help bring durable peace to South Sudan.”
