Save the peace: musicians play their role

History abounds with tales of experts who were convinced that ideas, plans and projects of others could never be achieved. However, accomplishment came to those with a different attitude that said I can make it happen.”

Sudan has had its fair share of war horrors. But if you want to see the effect of long term war on the psyche of ordinary people, then I recommend you watch War Child”, a remarkable documentary about a child survivor of Sudan’s vicious civil war. We can all relate to the child's story.

Lawrence Aloro

Musician Lawrence Aloro is one of the youths who have gone through thick and thin. Like many other youths, Aloro has embarked on retelling all the horrors that he experienced during the war with his music. Through his songs he advises people on how to live with each other peacefully. He always does his music in a mix of rap in Arabic, English and Kakwa. This way Aloro has reached almost everyone within Yei County and counties around. He is one of the young stars dedicated to bringing peace to the nation.

In the early 1980s children as young as seven were swept into Sudan’s civil war, with about 10,000 child soldiers conscripted on both sides of the two decades long conflict. These children were forced to do  unimaginably horrible things.

But Aloro believes even those youths who directly got involved in the fight between Northern and Southern Sudan can change – as a matter of fact they can be instruments of peace in the nation. I have a strong feeling that I can help my fellow age mates and other age groups to choose the right direction – a way leading us to long lasting peace,” he said.

Lawrence in rehearsal with his band member

His dream is to change the perspectives of people. He wants people to cross over from the culture of violence to start living in harmony with each other. Even though he does not rule out the fact that many Sudanese who bore the brunt of the civil war are traumatized, he believes true peace is not far from his fellow citizens.

At the moment Sudan is going through what one would regard as a tough time. Coming in April are presidential and parliamentary elections. And the situation gets increasingly tense every single day that passes by. The referendum that will be held next year is another remarkable event in the country. These events put peace in a fragile state. Like Aloro, many other youths, despite their differences, have kept sharing messages of peace for their war-torn land and Africa as a whole.

Aloro’s music tells the story of his life and the life of others who have gone through similar moments like him. Through his words and music, he reveals the unfolded story – people do not want to shed blood anymore.

CHECK OUT MR LAWRENCE ALURO'S LATEST MUSIC VIDEO 

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