South Sudan: Wrestling for peace

In most of South Sudan, a popular sport is keeping the country’s return to peace alive.
Wrestling, fought in all ethnic communities of the country, is gaining a lot of attraction.

The excitement is buoyed in many parts by the return of Riek Machar to the capital, Juba, on Monday.

Machar is returning two years after the start of a protracted conflict.

Juba has hosted some of these matches in the past. One is taking place to ostensibly celebrate Machar’s return.

“We are very happy because the last fight took place on December 14 and 15, at a point when war was starting.

#SouthSudan tribes pursue peace through sport “wrestling for peace” tournament. for VOAAfrica https://t.co/jnVye9RiW7 SSWE16

— Jason Patinkin (@JasonPatinkin) April 16, 2016

“So this timing is perfect for the arrival of Riek Machar in the coming days and also for the return of peace in the country, this is extremely important. It shows the importance of sport in maintaining peace among communities,” Peter Biar Ajak, organizer of a wrestling tournament said.

This initiative is supported by the US Agency for International Development, USAID, and several other partners hoping to reach a deal for a peaceful South Sudan.