South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Jenifer James
The king of the Azanda Kingdom His Majesty Atoroba Peni Rikito Gbudue, has called for unity and peaceful coexistence among the diverse communities of South Sudan.
His appeal was made during a visit to the Bari Community Centre on Monday, where he emphasized the importance of cultural bonds over political divisions as a foundation for lasting peace.
Speaking in the local language to emphasize the importance of cultural identity, King Gbudue stated, “Culture is alive, and it must unite us all. We, as Azanda, need to live with other tribes in peace and harmony.”
He highlighted that while politics often divides, culture has the power to bring people together.
Atoroba urged all communities to embrace unity, asserting that it is the key to peace in South Sudan.
“If we unite, we will see lasting peace in our country. Peace will come when we stand together as one people, regardless of our differences,” he said.
Atoroba acknowledged the Azanda people living in Central Equatoria State (CES) and expressed gratitude to the Bari community for their hospitality.
“We are here to confirm that in CES, the Azanda people live among you peacefully. Thank you for your kindness and peace,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns about youth and community safety, the King said, “We do not want to see bad things happen to our youth, and we cannot remain silent. We are here to meet with community chiefs, explore ways to cooperate, and find paths forward for peaceful coexistence.”
Meanwhile, Elder Jeremiah Soka of the Bari community welcomed the message of unity, stating, “We need to be one to be strong. Our communities must work together for peace and the betterment of our country.”
Soka acknowledged land tensions but emphasized that cooperation is essential. “The land may no longer be solely ours, but peace requires us to join hands and protect our communities together,” he said.
He added that true peace means freedom of movement and cultural expression for all. “We want a peace where people can move freely and celebrate without fear.”
However, the Bari community chairperson, Stephen Pitia, expressed gratitude for the visit, reinforcing hopes for continued friendship and collaboration between the Azanda and Bari people.
