30 September 2014 - Residents of Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State belatedly commemorated International Day of Peace at Majak-Akoon Primary School in Aweil East County today.

During the event, organized by UNMISS under the theme “Rights of Peoples to Peace”, pupils from the school and St. Daniel Comboni Primary School presented a drama on conflict resolution and also held a debate on the importance of peace and disadvantages of war.

“Peace means no war,” said Joseph Chan Akot, a pupil. “Peace promotes education, agriculture, unity, culture, trade, communication, free movement of people and development of physical infrastructure.”

UNMISS State Coordinator Koliab Nahataba commended the state’s people for choosing and sustaining peace.

“We are here as the United Nations to accompany you in this journey of maintaining peace,” he said. “You … have demonstrated here the advantages of peace and I call upon you to cherish these important advantages.”

Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State Peace Coordinator William Kolong commended UNMISS for choosing schools as venues to celebrate the Day every year.

“The people who promote peace and … who can implement peace are children, because (when) they go home, they talk to (their) families,” he said. “Peace begins at home (and) children are the future of this peace.”

Aweil East County Education Director Dominic Ajith also urged the pupils to maintain peace.

“Let us maintain peace in our schools, homes, neighbouring schools and even at the water points,” said Mr. Ajith.

As part of the celebrations, UNMISS donated learning materials to the Majak-Akoon Primary School head teacher Wieu Akot.

“Majak-Akoon is a peace school,” said Mr. Akot. “We have Darfurian girls and boys, and our neighbors, the Luo children, are also here in peace. They will take this message of peace to the communities.”