Filled with renewed hope and spirit of harmony, Wulu County in Lakes state is witnessing a wave of unity and social cohesion as communities embrace peaceful coexistence through series of cultural showcase.
These events highlight cultural practices which promote peace, human rights and gender equality, while denouncing those that are regressive in order to inspire a new generation of progressive youth.
This comes a day after the Rumbek Youth and Sports Association (RYSA) organized a vibrant cultural peace festival that drew together multi-ethnic youth, women, elders and local leaders to promote peace and reconciliation between multi-ethnic communities.
The occasion filled with traditional dances; songs, football matches, other cultural performances turn the area into jubilation mode at time when the state continues to explore ways to achieve everlasting peace.
Speaking during the event, John Abiel Garanag, Chairperson for wrestling and cultural affairs in Wulu, revealed the festival helped reconnect communities and restore trust among the young people in the area.
“As a result of the festival, young people from different localities came together; sat together, danced together and interacted peacefully, together” he explained.
“While Wulu remains one of the peaceful counties in Lakes state, this is the kind of environment we want to continue building for the future generations,” Garang added in an interview on May 13.
For the past few years, Rumbek Youth and Sports Association (RYSA) has remained at the forefront of promoting peace and reconciliation among the communities, taking a leading role in fostering unity through cultural engagement, sports and grassroot dialogues initiatives
However, in May this year, the local organization intensified its peacebuilding efforts in Wulu County by bringing together communities through youth-led activities, cultural exchanges and sport for peace aimed at promoting peace, reconciliation, build trust among the locals.
The festival also highlighted the organization’s most visible efforts that attracts participants who viewed the gathering as a pathway towards healing and reconciliation as well as promoting human rights and gender equality.
“This is a step forward for the youth. This is going to build coexistence as we continue to explore different ways to consolidate peace,” the cultural leader added.
Martin Dindi Ramadan, Wulu County’s Local Football Association head, said the drive was a vital keystone for peace.
“When youth engage in football and cultural activities, we move away from conflict and focus on teamwork and friendship,” he explained.
The campaign was supported by the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA).
In his words, the engagement has shown that peace is possible when communities unite around common values.
Local football teams namely Young stars FC and Dumble engaged in a peaceful sport encounter as Bele cultural groups among other groups made the event colorful with meaning performances.
Women leaders also used the occasion to call for stronger inclusion of women in peace and community development initiatives.
Mary Achol, the Women Representative at the event, applauded the organizers for creating a platform that promotes coexistence and respect among communities.
“Women are always victims of any conflicts, but today we are celebrating peace and togetherness,” she happily expressed.
“We want our children to grow up in a peaceful Wulu where culture becomes a bridge of unity instead of division,”
Once regarded as one of the relatively peaceful states in South Sudan, Lakes state has in recent months experienced recurring intercommunal conflicts, cattle-related violence and revenge killings over grazing land and resources.
The periodic conflicts have affected social cohesion, disrupted livelihoods and created fear among the locals.
In February this year, the Lakes state government said they were championing efforts to achieve durable peace.
Abass Mayek Mayen, Executive Director at RYSA, said the latest festival demonstrated the growing commitment to promote sustainable peace in the area.
“Peace begins with the people interacting among themselves. When communities meet like this, they learn to trust one another again and work together for development,”
As Wulu county continues to embrace dialogue, cultural diversity and youth-driven peace initiatives, locals remain hopeful that the lasting peace can be sustained despite challenges facing parts of the state.
Community leaders believe that reconciliation efforts would able young people to learn tolerance and promote cultural diversity, leading to sustainable peace. The event brought together over 7,000 multi-ethnic communities in Wulu.
