The people of South Sudan offer a glimmer of hope for peace to end the destructive civil war that has ravaged their country. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the civil war, Radio Tamazuj asked citizens from diverse backgrounds whether they still have hopes for imminent peace or not.

We also approached civil society activist Edmond Yakani, and leading member of South Sudan’s Communist Party Ismail Suleiman to reflect on the day and send messages of hope for peace as warring parties get ready to attend the revitalization forum of the 2015 peace agreement in Ethiopia on December 18.

James Monytor Dau, a displaced person living in the town of Melut in northern Upper Nile, called upon South Sudan’s warring parties to bring about peace, saying he wants to go back home.

Charles Riek Wal, chairman of PoC3 in Juba, said: “I hope for peace so that the displaced people of South Sudan can return home. We will be very happy if peace is restored in South Sudan.”

Yohannes Gatnyang Tap, a displaced person sheltering inside the UN camp in Bentiu, expressed hope that peace will come to South Sudan. “My hope is for peace to come in our country through the upcoming revitalization process,” he said.

Thok Chuni, a displaced person living in the UN camp in Bor, said: “I want peace to come. We want the United Nations to bring peace to us because we are suffering inside the UN camp. Our children are not going to schools.”

Rev. Martin Rubeleng, a refugee living in Bidi-Bidi camp in northern Uganda, urged President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar to make peace so that they can return home.

Liza Malong, a female refugee living in Bidi-Bidi camp in northern Uganda, said: “In my country I can do anything to benefit me and my children, so I hope for peace in our country. We want to return to South Sudan. I want peace to come to our country.”

Edmond Yakani, Executive Director of the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), said the fourth anniversary of civil war in South Sudan should be a day for forgiveness mong the people of South Sudan.

However, Yakani called for justice and accountability. “The people of South Sudan should not keep quiet. They should seek justice and accountability for the crimes committed during the war,” he said.

Yakani expressed optimism that the upcoming revitalization forum of the 2015 peace agreement will bring about peace in South Sudan. The leading civil society activist pointed out that the revitalization forum led by the East African regional bloc, IGAD is the only hope for peace in the country.

”We hope that the ongoing efforts to reunify the ruling party in Uganda could also be a catalyst for peace,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Ismail Suleiman, a member of the Central Committee of the South Sudanese Communist Party expressed optimism and hope for peace in the country despite the ongoing civil war.

He pointed out that the upcoming revitalization forum of the signed peace agreement this month is the only chance for the people of South Sudan to make peace.

“If South Sudanese don’t seize this opportunity to make peace, decisions will be made by outsiders,” Ismail said.

“Those who lost their lives during the conflict are innocent, but the only thing we can do as South Sudanese is to bring about peace,” he added.

The South Sudanese politician stressed the need for an inclusive peace process so that the people of South Sudan can live in peace and harmony.

Since the conflict in began on 15 December 2013, tens of thousands have been killed and about 4 million people have been forced to flee their homes, including nearly 1.9 million people who have been internally displaced and about 2.1 million who have fled as refugees to neighbouring countries.