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UN PhotoSOUTH SUDAN / PEACE CAMPAIGN
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / PEACE CAMPAIGN
TRT: 04:02
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS
DATELINE: 03 JULY 2026, YAMBIO, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, performances during the event
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Gamboripai Flora, Student, Yambio, Western Equatoria:
"Oh, peace we have been looking for you day and night. We have been looking for your day and night. Where have you been since? Where have you been since? Come and stay with us. Come and guide us."
3. Various shots, performances during the event.
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Flora Gume, Member, Western Equatoria Women’s Union:
"We should also know and put in mind that the peace begins with women. These are the mothers. These are the women who most suffers. If we are the real peacemakers, we should talk to our men, our children, the young boys. We should [encourage] them to lay down their guns. To carry their grievances and settle in dialogue."
5. Various shots, people attending the event
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Wanga, Member, Civil Society Network:
"Youth had been used for long as perpetrators of conflict. Youth have wasted a lot of time. Youth have been confused because of few elites and politicians. And now as they are taking lead to call for peace it is already a sign of transformation. The only thing remaining is the civil-military relationship that we are calling government to support."
7. Various shots, performances during the event
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Wanga, Member of Civil Society Network:
"Youth had been used for long as perpetrators of conflict. Youth have wasted a lot of time. Youth have been confused because of few elites and politician. And now as they are taking lead to call for peace it is already a sign of transformation. The only thing remain is the civil-military relationship that we are calling government to support."
9. Wide shot, performances during the event
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Dukundane, Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
"The 'Hear Us, Act Now' campaign reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that all voices, especially those of young people are heard, and contribute to meaningful peacebuilding efforts."
11. Various shots, performances during the event.
Young people, the elderly, traditional leaders, artists, civil society representatives, and government officials gathered to launch the "Hear Us, Act Now" peace campaign, organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in partnership with the Government of Western Equatoria State.
The sound of drums echoed across Yambio, the capital of South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State, replacing memories of conflict with a message of hope.
Built on the belief that peace begins within communities, the campaign encourages young people to lead dialogue, reconciliation, and lasting social cohesion. Through music, dance, and cultural performances, communities celebrated their diversity while reaffirming a shared commitment to peace. Speaking on behalf of many children affected by conflict, one young participant made a heartfelt appeal for peace.
SOUNDBITE (English) Gamboripai Flora, Student, Yambio, Western Equatoria:
"Oh, peace we have been looking for you day and night. We have been looking for your day and night. Where have you been since? Where have you been since? Come and stay with us. Come and guide us."
For many women, peace is not just an aspiration—it is a responsibility. Having borne the brunt of conflict, they are calling on families and communities to reject violence and embrace dialogue as the path to reconciliation.
SOUNDBITE (English) Flora Gume, Member, Western Equatoria Women’s Union:
"We should also know and put in mind that the peace begins with women. These are the mothers. These are the women who most suffers. If we are the real peacemakers, we should talk to our men, our children, the young boys. We should [encourage] them to lay down their guns. To carry their grievances and settle in dialogue."
Civil society leaders echoed the same message, emphasizing the vital role of young people in breaking the cycle of violence.
SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Wanga, Member, Civil Society Network:
"Youth had been used for long as perpetrators of conflict. Youth have wasted a lot of time. Youth have been confused because of few elites and politicians. And now as they are taking lead to call for peace it is already a sign of transformation. The only thing remaining is the civil-military relationship that we are calling government to support."
Local authorities, too, emphasized that lasting peace is essential for development and urged young people to reject violence.
SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Wanga, Member of Civil Society Network:
"Youth had been used for long as perpetrators of conflict. Youth have wasted a lot of time. Youth have been confused because of few elites and politician. And now as they are taking lead to call for peace it is already a sign of transformation. The only thing remain is the civil-military relationship that we are calling government to support."
UNMISS reaffirmed its commitment to supporting peacebuilding efforts across the state.
SOUNDBITE (English) Emmanuel Dukundane, Civil Affairs Officer, UNMISS:
"The 'Hear Us, Act Now' campaign reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that all voices, especially those of young people are heard, and contribute to meaningful peacebuilding efforts."
As the drums fade and the celebrations come to an end, the message lives on. In partnership with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, UNMISS will take the "Hear Us, Act Now" campaign to counties across Western Equatoria.
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