By Matik Kueth
An annual Cultural Peace Festival organized over the weekend in Bor Town, Jonglei State, by the Christian Agency for Peace and Development (CAPaD) in partnership with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) was concluded with a plea for unity and a shared commitment to peace.
The cultural event, themed “Together for Peace and Harmony,” aims to serve as a reminder of the value of culture in fostering harmony and eradicating barriers.
Jacob Achiek, Bor Town’s Mayor, who spoke at the event, stressed that there would be no rest if people reject peace and emphasized that cultural interaction might lead to achieving lasting peace.
“Peace begins within each of us, and that is why I stand before you today. If we reject peace, it is no surprise that we continue to witness repeated attacks on our highways,” Achiek said.
He reaffirmed the Jonglei government’s commitment to establish stability and peace in Jonglei State.
Achiek added, “However, achieving this goal requires the collective effort of all of us. We must unite and work together to bring about harmony and lasting peace in our communities.”
He stated that in order to encourage and promote cultural diversity, the state government will make efforts to establish training centers.
According to Achiek, as they construct a more tranquil and wealthier Jonglei State, thus the centers would promote harmony and understanding while ensuring that every opinion and custom is respected.
However, Samuel Sarpong, UNMISS’s representative, noted that, “Peace is vital for human freedom, without peace we cannot enjoy freedom. Peace does not come from UNMISS, Not Government but within us.”
Meanwhile, Peter Mali Biar, Executive Director of CAPaD, urged Jonglei State communities to carry out peace messages beyond the festival, stressing that individual acts are the first step toward achieving long-lasting peace.
The cultural event brought together prominent community leaders, government officials, and representatives of humanitarian groups, signifying a critical turning point in the ongoing endeavors to promote peace and harmony in the area.