By William Madouk
Diplomats and government officials joined the global community in commemorating Remembrance Day on November, 11 in Juba. The annual event honours those who lost their lives in World Wars I and II.
The ceremony, led by the United Kingdom Ambassador to South Sudan, Guy Warrington, and the Minister of Defense, Gen. Chol Thon Balok, was marked by an emotional two-minute silence.
The ceremony is traditionally marked by wearing poppies as well as wreath-lying followed by an interval of two minutes silence in honour reflection around in recognition of hostiles ceased on 11th November 1918.
It is meant to reflect on the sacrifices made by countless soldiers and civilians.
Guest of Honour, the Minister of Defense, Gen. Chol Thon Balok, who represented the government of South Sudan cited that Britain had colonized Sudan and in the process, Sudanese army partook in World Wars.
“South Sudan was a colony of the British, and in the Second World War, South Sudanese and Sudanese were part of the British army,” said Balok.
“So, they participated fully in all wars by then, on this occasion we are honoured to be here, we are also honouring our martyrs who fell in those wars,” he added.
He lauded the UK’s unwavering support to the government and people of South Sudan in bringing lasting peace.
“So, we are working together to achieve final peace and final democracy in South Sudan,” he said.
“We gathered together to remember the soldiers who fall in all the wars, in the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and I think most people embracing have someone who fought in one of those wars – so there is a deep personal connection,” he said.
UK envoy added that the day has significant importance to South Sudan which attained her independence through sacrifices in the African longest war.
“It is not just British people who died in British wars, there are people who died in the wars that led to South Sudan’s independence and also the peacekeepers who are here at UNMISS and in Abyei UNISFA,” he noted.
Mr. Warrington emphasized that peace is a valuable commodity and young people should learn the vital of peace.
“We should always remember what a valuable commodity peace is, I think in the UK we have 80 years since the Second World War where we lived in peace. And it is very important that young people remember just how valuable it is to live in peace in our time,” the envoy expressed.
UK ambassador appealed to South Sudanese to “make sure that the sacrifices that the people made to get the independence to this country is realised in a state where democracy prevails and where peace prevails.”
Remembrance Day also known as Armistice Day, is observed every year on November 11 – to pay tribute and honour to the millions of allied service personnel who were killed in the Great War in Europe.
It marks the signing of the First World War – ending Armistice on November 11, 1918.
On Sunday, King Charles led the nation in two minutes of silence in remembrance of men and women who lost their lives serving in the two world wars or other conflicts.
Tens of thousands of veterans and civilians joined the King in paying their respects to the fallen at the annual National Service of Remembrance ceremony at the Cenotaph in central London.