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Feature: South Sudanese hope for end to war after peace celebrations
Last Updated: 2018-11-02 07:26 | Xinhua
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Thousands of South Sudanese on Wednesday gathered in the capital, Juba to celebrate a recently signed peace deal amid high hopes of an end to five years of civil unrest.

The nationwide celebrations attended by regional leaders marked the signing of the new peace deal agreed in September.

To many South Sudanese, the latest peace deal offers hope of ending the civil war and unbearable economic crisis that has ravaged the war-torn east African country since it plunged into civil war in late 2013.

"It is so wonderful for us to celebrate peace and I hope that this will be the last suffering in South Sudan," said 19-year-old Kual Marial.

"We women want peace and our hope is that they (leaders) have really realized that we are suffering and they will change their hearts."

"Peace has come and it is wonderful. With peace coming in, there is possibility of my people coming back from the refugee camp in Uganda," said John Ito, 77.

Ito said lasting peace will make South Sudan stable and give it chance for development and prosperity, urging the South Sudanese leaders not to squander the latest chance.

"I want to thank them (leaders) for the spirit of reconciliation, forgiveness and for bringing peace to us. Let them go ahead, and they should not fail again," Ito told Xinhua in Juba.

South Sudan descended into civil war in late 2013, and the conflict has created one of the fastest growing refugee crises in the world.

The UN estimates that about 4 million South Sudanese have been displaced internally and externally. A peace deal signed in August 2015 collapsed following renewed violence in the capital, Juba in July 2016.

Under the new peace deal, opposition leader Riek Machar will once again be reinstated as Kiir's deputy.

Speaking during the peace celebrations in Juba on Wednesday, Machar who returned to South Sudan for the first time in two years after fleeing the country, reiterated his commitment to the new peace pact and end the war in South Sudan.

"I came only to confirm to people that I am for peace. The past is gone. We have opened a new chapter for peace and unity," Machar told the cheering crowd in Juba.

South Sudanese President Salva Kiir declared an end to war during the peace ceremony on Wednesday, adding that he has forgiven his opponents and is ready to move forward.

Kiir also apologized to his people for the "immense suffering" they went through in the past five years.

Daniela James, 24, welcomed the positive steps taken by the South Sudanese leaders to end the war, and urged them to ensure that this latest peace deal is implemented fully.

"I want to thank our leaders for this achievement. It is very great to me and I'm so thankful," James said.

"Let them implement this peace and work on it. I don't see it just to be in the name of peace, but let's implement everything because I as a South Sudanese, I need peace in my country. I need our people who have been suffering to come home and stay in peace James stressed," Daniela added.

"We are very happy for the peace, being a youth in South Sudan; I hope it will bring peace and unity to all South Sudanese," said Atem Camilo, 26.

"If there is peace, everybody will be happy, we will move freely, we shall not suffer of food shortage," added Camilo.

(Editor:王苏)

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Feature: South Sudanese hope for end to war after peace celebrations
Source:Xinhua | 2018-11-02 07:26
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