Authorities in South Sudan’s Boma State held an event to mark the country’s eighth independence anniversary in Pibor town on Sunday with calls for peace among communities in the state.
John Kaka, the state information minister told Radio Tamazuj after the event Sunday that they held the celebrations to disseminate peace message among communities in the state and to call on armed groups in the area to desist from violence.
“A lot of sacrifices were made for us to gain independence. No need for fighting among communities in Boma and their neighbors in greater Jonglei. We also called on armed groups in our areas to lay down their arms and join peace,” he said.
Kaka pointed out that years of inter-communal clashes destroyed social fabrics among locals in greater Jonglei while adding that Boma authorities will partner with counterparts in the region to restore peace.
Communities in greater Jonglei region have been wrangling for years, even after the country’s independence in 2011, characterized by cattle raids and child abductions.