WESTERN EQUATORIA – “We are using music to send messages of peace. South Sudan has seen too many divisions, but we are one people,” said Emmy J Yoere, a popular musician in the world’s youngest nation, as he performed at the Stand Up for Peace concert in Yambio.

“I believe every individual can be a peace ambassador and the push for peace shouldn’t only come from our leaders, but from communities themselves,” added the high-profile guest act at the large-scale event organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and the state government.

Emmy’s rumba-style music wasn’t the only headliner. Traditional dancers from different ethnic groups gave outstanding performances that had crowds on their feet, while the UN Peacekeeping mission’s in-house band—the Flamingoes—kept danceworthy tunes coming. Local stand-up comics added to the boisterous, joll

But what was most special and significant was the overarching spirit of peace that prevailed.

“It is hard to describe how happy I am, seeing different communities coming together,” says a joy-filled Lucia Joth, a Yambio resident and one of the many thousands who gathered to celebrate coexistence at the Town Square.

“We have suffered enough and want to prosper, give our children the best possible education so that they can become future leaders,” she adds, raising her voice to be heard over the boisterous, jubilant crowd.

Annie Alice, a displaced person from Tambura, which was the epicenter of intercommunal conflict last year, joined Lucia in spirit and exhortation.

“Greater Tambura communities have been devastated by violence, but we must return home to rebuild our lives,” she stated.