“After loosing four sons to conflict I decided to be peace ambassador in my community,” Luony Mungu

When conflict erupts in an area, it leaves an immerse damage where many people lose their lives, many families get displaced, leaving them susceptible to all dangers.

For communities to start rebuilding their lives after conflict it will take brave people to participate in peace and reconciliation processes for people to forgive each other and start afresh.

Luony Mungu, a sub-chief in one of the villages of Rumbek works as a peace ambassador advocating for peace and encouraging people to stop revenge killing that is rampant among communities in Rumbek. 

In many parts of South Sudan, when conflicts occur, communities take it upon themselves to go on revenge attack especially those who incurred many losses. They will carry on with fighting as away to compensate for the losses they have incurred from the other community.

“When conflict erupted in my village, 86 people got killed including four of my own children” the 60-year-old narrated.

Louny says that at this age his children would have been at his side as well as helping him with his farm work but now he has lost them to a very senseless conflict that could have been avoided if the revenge attacks were not happening.

Despite his personal loss, he refuses to succumb to his hurt. Rather than seeking vengeance for his sons' deaths, he channels his energies into promoting dialogue and understanding among his community using his own grief as fuel to advocate for peace.

“When people gather for peace dialogue, I remind them that while crimes have undoubtedly been committed, perpetuating violence only begets further tragedy. In my engagements, I urge them to safeguard the lives of those still among us and to shift their focus towards reconciliation” Louny, the father of 8 explained. 

With support from Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA), Oxfam in South Sudan is implementing a Rights and resilience response project for crisis affected communities in South Sudan. This project which is implemented in partnership with national NGOs is operational in Lake’s state, specifically in Rumbek East and Rumbek centre. 

While Oxfam leads on the overall project coordination, Oxfam partner organisations lead on implementation of activities ranging from food security and livelihood, education & good governance with a focus on vulnerable and crisis affected people in the regions of Pibor, Rumbek and Juba in South Sudan. It particularly focuses on women and young people to live resilient & peaceful lives in the face of conflict, climatic shocks, disasters and be able to advocate for and enjoy their rights.