Music Offers a Refuge from Conflict for South Sudan’s Youth
In a nation scarred by decades of violence,a new generation in south sudan is turning to music as a powerful force for unity and healing.the vibrant arts scene blossoming in venues like the Nyakuron Cultural Center in Juba provides a much-needed escape and a platform for young South Sudanese to redefine their identity beyond ethnic divisions.
Backstage at the Nyakuron Cultural Centre on a recent Thursday evening, hip-hop musician Wigo Young Soon nervously prepared for his debut performance of “Juba to London.” Heavy rain echoed on the roof as he repeated a mantra: “I beleive in myself.” For the young audience gathered before him – a sea of faces eager for the latest talent – performers like Mr. Soon represent a vital source of joy amidst ongoing turbulence.
Independent since 2011, South Sudan has struggled with instability for most of its history. A brutal civil war, fueled by ethnic tensions, gripped the country from 2013 to 2018, and recent clashes between President salva Kiir and his deputy, Riek Machar, threaten to reignite conflict.
The story of South sudan is one of fractured identity. For over five decades, the region was part of Sudan, a diverse collection of ethnic groups and geographies unified by British colonialism. After a protracted civil war with the north, South Sudan achieved independence in 2011. However,as the fight for independence faded,old divisions between the country’s two largest ethnic groups – the Dinka and the nuer – resurfaced. in 2013,President Kiir,a Dinka,dismissed his deputy,Mr. Machar,a Nuer,triggering a devastating civil war. “Once the external enemy was removed, they turned on each other,” explained a senior analyst with the International Crisis Group.
Serving as Mr. Kiir’s vice president, faced accusations of involvement, house arrest, and charges of treason. As then, sporadic fighting has resulted in the deaths of 2,000 civilians and the displacement of over 300,000 people. A member of the U.N. Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan warned the U.N. General Assembly in October that “all indicators point to a slide back toward another deadly war.”
For Sandra Abalo, a journalism student in her mid-20s, Nyakuron offers a temporary reprieve from the political anxieties that dominate daily life. “Here, we don’t talk politics,” she said, dancing to the Afrobeats pulsing through the speakers. Yet, the economic hardships facing the country are never far from mind. Approximately 92% of the South Sudanese population lives below the poverty line – a 12% increase from the previous year, according to the African Development Bank. Cuts to international aid, which constitutes roughly 25% of the country’s GDP, have further compounded the challenges.Ms. Abalo’s father, a former employee of the World Food Programme, lost his job due to these cuts. “My message to Donald Trump? … forgive South Sudan,” she quipped, a testament to the nation’s reliance on external assistance.
Adding to the chorus of voices seeking positive change is Linus de Genius, a decorated rapper and producer from Uganda. He is currently working on “64 in 1,” an aspiring project that aims to celebrate South Sudan’s cultural diversity through original songs representing each of the country’s tribes. “Music has a greater power than anything… it’s a simple way to gather people,” he explained, demonstrating his commitment to fostering peace through artistic collaboration. He collaborates with local musicians, incorporating their languages and traditional instruments into modern beats. “There is that richness in culture that I wanted to bring out, so that people understand that south Sudan has wealth,” he added. he noted that the process has highlighted how little manny communities know about each other, but also underscored the shared values that bind them together. “It’s like one umbrella [for] all these tribes,” he said.
Back at Nyakuron on the night of Mr.Soon’s performance, the crowd erupted in cheers beneath the radiant lights. For a fleeting moment, the bass lines drowned out the anxieties and differences that plague so many young people in South Sudan. On this evening, they simply wanted to dance.
