\n WESTERN EQUATORIA, South Sudan, March 9, 2023\/APO Group\/ —
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In 2021, a sudden outbreak of violence led to massive loss of life and property, not to mention displaced tens of thousands in the greater Tambura region of Western Equatoria, South Sudan.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
At the time, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) swiftly established a temporary operating base in Tambura given the urgent need to protect the conflict affected.<\/p>\n
Today, while calm and stability are gradually returning to Tambura, many people who fled from their homes are still sheltering at the UNMISS base and under the watchful eye of the UN Peacekeeping mission\u2019s Blue Helmets.<\/p>\n
Much remains to be done to build confidence among communities, especially young people, to ensure that this fragile peace is shored up.<\/p>\n
A two-day workshop by UNMISS was, therefore, focused on motivating youth affected by violence to place aside their differences and move forward to shape their common destiny by eschewing violence.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe lost everything during the conflict, but peacekeepers gave us a space to establish ourselves temporarily and catch our breath. Today, we can see peace slowly coming back to Tambura and with that, there is a resurgence of hope among all of us that we can rebuild our lives. Peace is everything,\u201d said Mary Simaya, a participant.<\/p>\n
Mboribamu Renzi, paramount chief of Tambura, echoes Ms. Simaya.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe people, especially youth, have paid a terrible price during this conflict. It is vital that we have interventions aimed at encouraging them to look forward to a brighter future,\u201d he stated.<\/p>\n
The dialogue concluded with a football match, which sought to harness the power of sport to promote unity and coexistence.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur aim is to establish this as a regular peace tournament,\u201d revealed Capi Joseph Nafuoni, chair of the local football association in Tambura. \u201cAfter all the crises we that has taken place here, we all deserve to restore joy in our lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have started with 18 teams, and it has brought young people from all corners of Tambura,\u201d he concludes proudly.<\/p>\n
\u00a050 participants came together at this two-day forum, organized by the UN Peacekeeping mission\u2019s Civil Affairs Division.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n