By Bosco Bush
In a quest for lasting peace within communities torn apart by conflict, the government of Central Equatoria State celebrated International Peace Day on Saturday, September 21, 2024, in Yei River County.
This came following last month’s resolutions of the state cabinet’s ordinary meeting that earmarked Yei, as a venue for commemoration of International Peace Day.
Central Equatoria State’s Deputy Governor, Paulino Lukudu Obede, who officiated the event, conveyed peace messages, calling for unity and reconciliation among the people.
He also emphasized the need to forgive one another and let go of past grievances.
Through open conversations and understanding, people can overcome challenges, build stronger communities, the deputy governor said while urging the communities to embrace peace and maintain it to pave ways for development.
“It’s only through peace that we can create opportunities for growth, education and prosperity for future generations,” he added.
Obede call upon the communities to give peace a chance in every aspect of our lives.
“It begins in our homes, our communities and within ourselves. Together, we can cultivate a culture of peace for a brighter future,” he stressed.
On the sideline of the event, the deputy governor visited Kinji Secondary and planted “Tree of Peace” at the school compound, while encouraging students to become “steadfast ambassadors of peace” and role models to inspires many others.
Celebrated under the theme, “Cultivating a Culture of Peace in Central Equatoria State,” the event highlighted the essential role of dialogue and collaboration between the security forces, community and humanitarian partners in advancing lasting peace in Greater Yei.
Yei, one of the lively cosmopolitan towns in South Sudan, was hit by the 2016 conflict between government and opposition forces, leaving many property destroyed and people sought safety as refugees in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Following the signing and implementation of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, relatively calm has returned to the area with some voluntary returnees seeking resettlement.
The International Peace Day is dedicated to world peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access.
This year, the global theme is “Cultivating a Culture of Peace.”