Gurei, a suburb of Juba, celebrated International Peace Day with a diverse gathering of residents from within and outside the city on October 28, 2024.
The event, organized by Salaam Junub under the Gurei Peace Tree, has been a recurring peace celebration since 2018, drawing participants including students, government officials, and community members.
Bush Buse, co-founder of Salaam and the “Taking Tea Together” (TTT) initiative, spoke about the symbolic importance of sharing tea as a commitment to peace and unity.
“Tea today is a reminder that we must reject violence and promote kindness,” Buse emphasized. Lawrence Musoke, Director General in the Central Equatoria State Ministry of Peace Building, urged youth to avoid destructive habits like drinking Royal Gin and to focus on building a peaceful future for South Sudan.
Students from Bright Boma Secondary School’s Journalism Club engaged the audience with peace-themed news segments, followed by group discussions on youth involvement in peacebuilding.
The groups highlighted challenges such as unemployment, limited resources, and lack of youth representation in decision-making, while also exploring opportunities for greater youth engagement in peace efforts.
A panel discussion, featuring peace activists and moderated by Suzan Tandeko, expanded on ways to empower youth in peacebuilding. The panel called for increased support for youth initiatives, skill-building opportunities, and addressing the issue of tribalism that hinders unity.
The day concluded with performances by comedians, artists, and traditional dancers, all emphasizing peace, leaving a lasting impact on the over 300 attendees.
