Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan Dr Riek Machar Teny at a past event [Gurtong | File]
By Misuk Moses Mule
JUBA, 22 September 2012 [Gurtong] - “We see people dying every day which is manifested in the Jonglei issue. Inter-communal fights can either be because of individual interest or greed,” he said.
He attributed the barriers to the effects of the long term civil war as the impact is visible on child abduction and cattle rustling among others. He called for reconciliation and involvement of everyone including the youth if South Sudan is to realise sustainable peace.
Machar said that he is happy that the issue of Jonglei is resolved and if no other pocket of conflict breaks out, South Sudan would have achieved peace and remain with the challenge of sustaining it.
He said that the government is thinking of involving the disarmed and demobilised soldiers in sustainable development.
He noted that land grabbing has become a major problem derailing peace and that if statistics were to be produced on people who have died over the issue of land grabbing, it will be alarming.
During the event, Machar handed over a trophy to Juba Day Secondary School who won in a football tournament aimed at fostering peace.
Meanwhile the Central Equatoria State Acting Governor Manase Lomole Waya called on the people of South Sudan to embrace peace and peaceful co-existence.
He noted land grabbing, cattle encroaching on farms and limited resources as key areas which are derailing peace in the country.
Nevertheless, he said these challenges can be contained with concerted efforts.
The leaders were speaking during the celebrations to mark the International Day of Peace also known as World Peace Day. The 21 September has been set aside by the United Nations to provide an opportunity for individuals, organisations and nations to create practical acts of peace on a shared date.
The International Day of Peace was first established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. In 2002, the General Assembly officially declared September 21 as the permanent date for the International Day of Peace.
The day is devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.