Push against tribalism builds peaceful existence in Juba

The Juba’s suburb of Mangateen, a vibrant neighborhood in the city, is embracing a new era of peace and unity as ant-tribalism campaigns speak volumes in bridging local divides and conflicts.
The advocates for peace pin flyers on streets and shops to educate locals on importance of togetherness in Mangateen (Photo: Angelina Ban) 

The Juba’s suburb of Mangateen, a vibrant neighborhood in the city, is embracing a new era of peace and unity as ant-tribalism campaigns speak volumes in bridging local divides and conflicts. 

Between August and October this year, Active Citizen South Sudan (ACSS) in partnership with the Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) embarked on series of campaigns against tribalism to help the internally displaced persons (IDPs) build peace and harmony among the communities.

The campaigns were themed #Nina Sawa that literally translates “we are the same” to embrace equality.

However, the crusades are now making waves as the locals work hard to abolish invisible occurrence and adopt new ways to forge peaceful coexistence.

Mary (Not her real name) who used not to give rental to people outside her tribe circle revealed that she is now able to give her rental to everyone regardless of the past occurrence after receiving training.   

“I thought people outside my tribe circle were bad. There has been so many misinformation especially hate-related against other tribes. So, I decided to be within my circles because I was told that some of the people outside my tribe would remain in people’s houses forever and assume ownership,” she explained.

“But through the training, I got to realized that it was a lie. So, I decided to reverse the ordeal because I was punishing my fellow country men and women,” Mary added.

According to her, misinformation was a serious disease instigating local conflict in the country.

But for the case of Mangateen and beyond individual stories, the drive highlighted the systemic nature of tribalism and how it requires everyone’s participation to eliminate it.

Organized to raise awareness about the importance of unity in building a peaceful and inclusive communities, the campaign attracted people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to explore the vision of a united country.

The activities include roadside shows, artworks that demonstrate unity and community dialogues, as locals were exposed to the concept of togetherness.   

Over 20,000 locals were engaged across the targeted areas, including Hai Referendum, Mia Saba, Eden, and Newsite respectively.

The effort has already begun transforming lives of individuals like Mary (not her real name), a local landlord who now rents her properties without tribal bias.

At the heart of the campaign was a symbolic illustration; a house built collectively by all tribes. This powerful image emphasizes that each tribe is a vital building block in constructing a unified country.  

Through roadside shows and engaging sessions, the new dawn was envisioned to make the communities coexist.

Angelina Stepan Ban, the ACSS project coordinator, revealed that lasting peace was possible only when every community member participates in building a cohesive society.

“Each one of us has a role in building South Sudan. By focusing on unity, we not only create a stronger country but a safer and more supportive place for everyone to live in,” she noted in her presentation during the session.

The message has resonated widely, inspiring individuals to rethink about tribal loyalties that have long shaped social and economic decisions.

The drive reached a broad audience, breaking down barriers and challenging assumptions about tribal loyalty.

Through the sessions, the team tackled issues at the core of social dynamics, encouraging participants to imagine a country where all tribes coexist peacefully and contribute to a shared future.

As the campaign continues, the message of unity is spreading. Many residents are beginning to see the benefits of inclusivity, from personal peace of mind to stronger, safer communities.

The hope is that Mangateen’s success story will serve as a model for other areas, demonstrating how individuals and communities can come together to build a future without divisions.

“We want to make a South Sudan where everyone feels valued and included, regardless of where they come from,” Angelina emphasized.

“Mary’s story is just the beginning. We hope to see many more stories like hers, as people embrace the idea that unity leads to progress for everyone” she added

The local actions demonstrate that even deeply rooted divides can be overcome through shared vision and community action. The road to a fully united South Sudan may be long, but with each small step, the dream of a harmonious and united nation draws closer to reality.

According to Majok David Deng, a conflict analyst in Juba said “Changing long-standing habits requires continued engagement, education and resilience”.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *