The UNMISS Public Information Section organized a two-day workshop with faith based groups to create awareness of the role of UNMISS. The workshop was held in the Nyakuron cultural center, in Juba.

John Ugolo, UNMISS Head of Field Office for Juba, said the faith based groups are important in bringing peace in the country.

“The faith based organizations are important for peace; wellbeing, development and prosperity in this country. You are the ones who formulate morality, behavior and attitude that support peace in the country. The fear of God and forgiveness that you believe in can support South Sudan mostly because of what is going through”, he said.

Seth Kuma , Director for Political Affairs UNMISS said the responsibility to bring peace in South Sudan lies with the people of South Sudan.

“Peace in South Sudan will only be brought by South Sudanese and UNMISS only helps to create enabling environment for South Sudanese to realize it.”

Ruben Inaju, UNMISS Public Information Officer said South Sudanese signed peace among themselves  and that the  implementation  of the signed peace agreement is the responsibility of South Sudanese.

“UNMISS only assists and supports the South Sudanese people to implement the peace they signed themselves.   Peace is not a community that you can buy and give to people. It is a process. Like it takes time to plan for war, it also takes time to bring peace.”

Inaju appealed to faith based participants to preach peace and love in their communities.

Josephine Iromo one of the participants in the workshop said she really did not understand UNMISS and its roles in South Sudan

“ In my area people think that UNMISS is against civilians. Today, I have come to know that our understanding that UNMISS is against civilians is wrong.  I urge our government to cooperate with UNMISS to bring about an end to the current conflict in the country… We want this conflict to end because women and children are the ones who bear the brunt. “