Seeking to promote peace among communities in the UNMISS protection of civilians (PoC) site in the Unity State capital Bentiu, an inter-church choir competition was organized today.

Over 5000 people gathered to watch the competition, as different participating choirs sang songs with messages of unity and peaceful co-existence.

“It is fitting that the song you sang today is “Joy to the World” as the months ahead will hopefully see peace truly come to South Sudan,” said UNMISS State Coordinator Mary Cummins. “I hope that this Christmas will be one of peace and love and that the New Year will bring you all much joy and happiness in a peaceful, united South Sudan.”

The State Coordinator’s office organized the event in collaboration with other partners including the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN refugee agency, the Danish Refugee Council, INTERSOS, the PoC youth council and the inter-church committee.

Ms. Cummins thanked the community and organizers for their cooperation and encouraged everyone to continue to work for peace.

Noting that there are many idle young people living in the PoC site, UNFPA official Simon Bwire said that the youth task force had organized the competition to bring them together to promote peace. 

“We thought that this competition would provide an opportunity for them to show off their skills and talents and do something positive for themselves and for the community,” said Mr. Bwire.

Pastor Gabriel Gatluak, a member of the inter-church committee, said the gathering was part of trauma healing in the community.

“I hope this is the time for trauma healing in the PoC site,” he said. “If you see people coming together celebrating with joy, it shows that there is oneness, forgiveness and a spirit that is rising among the young people.”

Pastor Gatluak called on the youth to reject all forms of violence and to promote peace in the country.

“I encourage the youth, as they hear my voice over South Sudan and all over Africa, that we have to be of one mind,” he said. “If we love ourselves and each other, we can make Africa better than any continent in the world.”

The Presbyterian Choir won the first prize, while the Catholic Choir and Pentecostal Choir came in second and third place respectively.

UNMISS choirs from the Ghana battalion, the Mongolian battalion and the Ghanaian Formed Police Unit also sang for the audience and all the choirs sang together in a grand finale.