As part of efforts to build peace and trust, UNMISS on Tuesday launched a music and dance peace campaign in Deim Zubeir, also known as Uyuku Payam, in Raga County in Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
This comes after the conflict which rocked the area and most of the country from 2013 until the peace agreement was signed in 2018.
On Tuesday, UNMISS took a group of South Sudanese artists to educate the people of Deim Zubeir about the progress of the implementation of the peace agreement through music and dance. The public information campaign also provides a platform for different communities to interact.
UNMISS’ Public Information Assistant Alahayi Nemaya said they have the mandate to build and promote peace and unity.
“If you have seen vehicles passing here on the roads, they have a mandate to work in South Sudan and we are here today to promote peace through songs,” Nemaya said. “We have artists who have come to perform songs in the name of peace.”
Meanwhile, a youth leader in Deim Zubeir, Arkangelo Amansio Musa, said he was surprised to see popular musicians performing for peace in his area.
“I was surprised because these people have come with peace messages and all the songs were educating people on peace and unity because the war has ended,” he said. “Let us stop tribalism and unite as the people of South Sudan and work for development.”
For her part, Natelina Karlo said that the past conflict started when she was in Wau and that she fled to Deim Zubeir for safety but found conflict there as well.
“The problem started when I was in Wau and I ran back home to Deim Zubeir where I found the same problem and people are still traumatized and live in fear,” she said. “However, with today’s event, I can see that the real peace has reached this area.”
Chief Mathew Marchello of the area pointed out that such performances and events encourage peace among the local population.
“For some time now we have not seen activities that encourage citizens about peace but this event has brought happiness,” he said. “As a chief leading the people in Deim Zubeir, we are asking you (UNMISS) to keep coming back here to encourage our people.”
A similar event is slated for Thursday in Raga Town.