Prominent athletes from neighboring Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda on Saturday joined South Sudanese runners in a marathon aimed at promoting peace and reconciliation in the war-torn country.
Saturday’s Great Run for South Sudan Peace brought four athletes from the East African region for the 10 kilometers race to show solidarity with the war-affected South Sudanese.
South Sudan’s Vice President James Wani Igga said that the race could inspire South Sudanese to embrace unity in the country.
“This great occasion can enable us we South Sudanese to forgive ourselves for whatever wrongs. We need this open and frank forgiveness,”” Igga said.
“This great occasion can bring stability and reconciliation among our people,” he added.
In April 2017, the Great Ethiopian Run association in collaboration with an Ethiopian investor organized the first ever Great South Sudan Run, which aimed at bringing peace and reconciliation among the people of South Sudan.