South Sudanese using wrestling as a tool for peace

Hundreds of passionate wrestling fans in South Sudan thronged the capital Juba to witness the end of the country’s national wrestling competition among competitors from the various ethnic groups.

wrestling is a very popular sport among the Dinka, Mundari and Lotuka tribes of Eastern Equatoria
in South Sudan.

the sport is seen as an avenue in bringing together people from the various warring tribes together.

“This occasion is significant to us as a country and also significant to the ongoing peace process.
We want to ask our people to embrace peace, we should embrace tranquility and we should not talk about war”. Deng Dau, community leader

Wrestling is fought in all ethnic communities of the country has a very large fan base.

the national wrestling match saw wrestlers from Eastern Lakes and Terekeka states emerging victors over their rivals from Jonglei states.

Some excited fans urged organisers to consider a monthly wrestling tournament to bring people together.

As the youngest country in Africa, South Sudan is in the middle of a civil war which has claimed the lives of thousands of people while rendering millions homeless.