People of Northern Bahr al-Ghazal celebrated the New Year despite ongoing fighting in the country between the government forces and rebel forces. The state has not witnessed the kind of violence seen elsewhere in the country, though army units stationed there were mobilized toward the conflict zones.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, a number of citizens in the border state expressed mixed feelings of celebrating the coming of 2014 while also lamenting the loss of lives in the current fighting between the government, defected army forces and allied militia.
“The situation is calm. We don’t discriminate here in Aweil – we work together as brothers and sisters Nuer, Shilluk or whoever. We are just brothers and we embrace peace,” said Kuany Charles.
Other citizens said they are very concerned about the fighting taking place in greater Upper Nile where they have lost loved ones. They say they are praying that the situation is returned to normal.
“I think this year Christmas and last year’s Christmas are more or less the same but only that this year as you have already heard from my brothers people are not enjoying themselves in Bentiu, Malakal and Bor,” said Akec Athian.
“So as citizens of South Sudan we are also concerned, we are not happy about what is going on,” he added.
“For us Christmas was okay. The only problem is that you know we Aweilians have lost so many people in Jonglei, the ongoing crisis there so for sure we are not happy with the situation,” said Ayii Ayii.
In the spirit of welcoming the New Year, a football match was played Wednesday evening between Salam and Merriekh teams.
File photo: Aweil downtown (Radio Tamazuj)