Hundreds of women, community elders, and youths from the Juba 3 internally displaced persons' camp have urged all parties to end the conflict ahead of the December election. They made the call during the commemoration of the International Day of Peace under the theme "Invest in Peace for Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day." The event was marked on Monday, and it brought together various stakeholders who emphasized the need for peace and stability in the country.
Mary Nyanchot Chuol, one of the IDPs, called for forgiveness and peaceful coexistence as the country prepares for the upcoming election. She also urged the national government to give greater attention to the needs of internally displaced people, citing limited access to education and healthcare, as well as insecurity in the camps, as major challenges they face. Chuol expressed hope that the election would bring an end to the conflict.
The International Day of Peace is observed annually by the United Nations on September 21. The day was established by the UN General Assembly in 1981 and was first observed in 1982. In 2001, the UN General Assembly decided to make September 21 the permanent date for the International Day of Peace. This year's celebration was marked inside the Protection of Civilians (POC) site in Juba, alongside internally displaced persons.
Mazala Mabil of the Nonviolent Peaceforce explained that his organization chose to celebrate the day inside the IDPs camp to bring hope to displaced community members and ensure they feel recognized, happy, and supported. Mabil stated that they operate a field office in the POC site and work closely with local Youth Protection Teams within the camp. He added that the celebration aimed to give IDPs a space to share their feelings on this meaningful day.
Isabella Terah, Technical Protection Advisor at the Nonviolent PeaceForce, emphasized that peace is an everyday commitment. She encouraged the IDPs to think about the importance of community peace and to know that their peace begins with them. Terah acknowledged the hard work being done by the community leaders, Community Protection Teams, and Peace Club members to maintain peace in the camp.
The IDPs and stakeholders at the event expressed hope that the celebration would bring joy, encouragement, and a clearer, brighter future, along with renewed hope for lasting peace in the country. They emphasized the need for collective efforts to achieve peace and stability, particularly with the upcoming election. The event provided a platform for IDPs to share their experiences and concerns.
The commemoration of the International Day of Peace in Juba highlighted the challenges faced by internally displaced persons and the importance of peace and stability in the country. The event brought together various stakeholders who emphasized the need for collective efforts to achieve lasting peace. Key speakers at the event called for forgiveness, peaceful coexistence, and greater attention to the needs of IDPs.
Key points
- Hundreds of internally displaced persons in Juba, South Sudan, have called on all parties to end the conflict ahead of the December election.
- The International Day of Peace is observed annually by the United Nations on September 21.
- The event aimed to bring hope to displaced community members and ensure they feel recognized, happy, and supported.
