Humanitarians in Torit Town of Eastern Equatoria State have embarked on sporting activities aimed at promoting and creating a safer environment for aid workers in the area.
The event was marked by a charity match played between the aid workers and some football veterans at the Torit Freedom Square on Sunday.
The match organized by Eastern Equatoria State Football Legends also intends to provide a conducive surrounding for religious leaders and the business community in the state.
The game, which humanitarian workers lose with two goals to one, attracted thousands of spectators including government officials, humanitarian organizations and the civil population.
Martin Oburak, the captain of the winning team, expressed happiness and called for unity among the youth and aid workers in the area.
“I am very happy because of the activities that we have done. For us this message is not for anything but for peace to the people of Eastern Equatoria State and South Sudan as a whole.”
“It will not be the last we shall continue to move to payams in the state and we shall reach in places that we haven’t reached to try to unite youth,” Mr. Oboruk stated.
Taban Paride, one of the players from the humanitarian team, described the match as a positive gesture toward rebuilding social fabric and safe working conditions for aid workers.
“Let’s leave all the bad things we are doing and join sports. Come let us coexist together because without you we are not going to deliver anything and with you together we can move on,” Mr. Paride added.
For her part, Eastern Equatoria State Deputy Governor congratulates the youth for creating initiatives that help unite the population.
Hon Mary Alphonse Lodira urges the two groups to continue organizing tournaments to transform the public, especially at this critical time the state is undergoing.
“It is seen in the eyes of people that there is something apart from what people use to hear there are things that people do that can bring peace and we have to continue in that way,” Ms Lodira said.
In June 2021, the government of Eastern Equatoria State issued directives suspending the operations of UN agencies and humanitarian organizations in Torit for a week.
This came after some local youth went on a rampage, assaulting a staff of Red Cross and one for UNDP in Torit town.
The youth had accused the UN and aid groups of employing foreigners at the expense of the citizens.