UNMISS Peace Concert in Malakal: Music Unites South Sudan

In the heart of South Sudan's conflict-weary Upper Nile state, the United Nations proved that music can be a bridge where politics has failed. More than 2,500 people walked miles to Malakal Stadium in June 2025 — not for a political rally, but for a peace concert headlined by legendary South Sudanese reggae musician Emmanuel Kembe.

When Music Stops Bullets: UNMISS Peace Concert Brings 2,500 Together in Malakal

Malakal, South Sudan — The June 2025 gathering at Malakal Stadium demonstrated music's unmatched power to heal divisions across Africa, where political talks often stall amid cycles of violence. UNMISS and UNESCO turned to cultural tools to reach communities exhausted by conflict, echoing traditions from Senegal's griot storytelling to broader continental efforts at reconciliation. This concert signals that ordinary citizens can reclaim hope even as elections remain delayed.

A Stage in the Midst of Conflict

Upper Nile state stood at the center of escalating violence in 2025, with soaring deaths and displacement forcing families from their homes. UNMISS organized the concert with the state government and UNESCO to counter these tensions through shared cultural experiences rather than force.

The partnership positioned music as a strategic peacebuilding tool in a region where political dialogue had repeatedly broken down. Organizers chose Malakal Stadium deliberately because the city has endured repeated waves of displacement and ethnic tension since South Sudan gained independence in 2011.

Malakal's location next to the UN Protection of Civilians site made the venue especially symbolic, as residents from the site joined thousands walking from the town and outskirts. More than 2,500 people arrived on foot, some traveling many miles under the hot sun, to attend the event.

UNMISS Female Engagement Teams had already been working with communities in Malakal to build trust ahead of the concert. Their presence helped ensure that participants from different sides of local divides felt safe entering the same space.

Music, often described as a great unifier capable of building bridges between different groups, became the central method for fostering connection. Organizers deployed it intentionally to create moments where former adversaries could stand together without confrontation.

The determination shown by attendees who walked long distances underscored how deeply people yearned for any opportunity to experience unity, even temporarily, in a state scarred by ongoing conflict.

The concert organisers understood that in a region where violent clashes had separated communities, offering a neutral cultural space where former adversaries could gather without weapons or political posturing was itself a radical act. For many, simply arriving at Malakal Stadium represented a statement of hope — that normal life, with its music and dancing and shared joy, could one day return to Upper Nile.

Emmanuel Kembe: A Voice for Unity

Emmanuel Kembe, born January 9, 1969 in Wau, Western Bahr el-Ghazal, brought decades of experience as South Sudan's leading reggae voice to the Malakal stage. His career began in the 1980s and continued through years of national upheaval.

Kembe released his first album, Shen Shen, early in his career, establishing a sound that blended roots reggae with Afro-fusion and traditional South Sudanese rhythms. Songs such as Together and Celebrate became anthems carrying messages of unity and collective celebration.

Between 1994 and 2005, Kembe lived in exile, using that period to refine his advocacy through music that addressed both local audiences and international observers. His work consistently focused on education, awareness, and calls for peaceful coexistence.

In early 2026, Kembe received recognition as MTN South Sudan Y'ello Tune Artist of the Month, affirming his ongoing influence. He has maintained a steady commitment to using performances for peace advocacy across South Sudan.

His fusion of musical styles allowed him to reach listeners from varied backgrounds at the Malakal concert, where traditional elements resonated with local dancers and contemporary reggae beats drew in younger attendees.

Kembe's presence transformed the event from a simple performance into a deliberate act of cultural diplomacy aimed at reminding South Sudanese people of their shared humanity.

Voices from Malakal: Quotes That Echo Hope

Emmanuel Kembe addressed the crowd directly, stating, "It would be good if elections finally take place in 2026 because our people want to vote, they want peace and development." His words captured the widespread desire for political progress alongside cultural healing.

Acting Governor Deng Joh Angok reinforced the state's commitment during the event, declaring, "We have a clear plan for every citizen in the state to live freely and thrive in a secure environment. We are working to restore peace." His remarks linked the concert to concrete governance efforts.

Artist and women's rights activist Achol Jock Lul highlighted the gathering's meaning, saying, "This is a wonderful opportunity for all Malakal residents to gather in joy and unity... It is proof that all South Sudanese can live in harmony!" Her statement reflected the personal stakes for women in conflict-affected areas.

Local singers and traditional dancers performed alongside Kembe, adding layers of regional flavor that encouraged spontaneous participation from the audience. Their contributions kept the energy high throughout the afternoon.

Community members swayed to a single rhythm, creating visible moments of collective movement that transcended ethnic and political lines. Observers noted how these shared movements offered a glimpse into the potential for sustained peace.

The quotes and performances together painted a picture of cautious optimism, where cultural expression opened space for dialogue that formal negotiations had not yet achieved.

Music as Peacebuilding: A Growing African Tradition

Music for peace is not new to Africa. From Fela Kuti's protest music in Nigeria to the role of musicians in South Africa's anti-apartheid struggle, artists have long used rhythm and lyrics to challenge division and inspire collective action.

The United Nations has increasingly turned to cultural diplomacy in conflict zones, recognizing that songs and performances can reach populations wary of official channels. UNMISS applied this approach in Malakal with clear intent.

Radio Miraya, the UN-supported station, has broadcast peace messages for over 20 years across South Sudan, laying groundwork for events like the Malakal concert by keeping dialogue alive in remote areas.

UNMISS also ran the Hear Us. Act Now. For Peace campaign with Emmanuel Kembe in Wau in June 2026, extending the same model of artist-led outreach to additional conflict-affected regions.

Traditional African drums, dance, and oral storytelling have always served as vehicles for social cohesion and conflict resolution in communities from Senegal to the Horn of Africa. The Malakal concert drew on these deep roots.

By combining international support with local performance traditions, the event demonstrated how cultural methods can complement political processes when tensions remain high.

South Sudan's Fragile Peace: Elections on the Horizon

South Sudan's long-delayed election process carries a 2026 target, yet Upper Nile state has seen conflict escalate sharply in 2025 with increased deaths and displacement. The concert occurred against this backdrop of uncertainty.

The country gained independence in 2011 after decades of civil war, only to face renewed cycles of conflict since independence in 2011 that have repeatedly disrupted daily life. Cultural events provide rare spaces for dialogue when political processes stall.

International support through UNMISS remains essential for South Sudan's transition to democracy and development, particularly in states like Upper Nile where trust between communities has eroded. The concert illustrated one practical form that support can take.

Ordinary South Sudanese people continue to demonstrate resilience by participating in such gatherings despite ongoing risks. Their willingness to walk miles to Malakal Stadium showed determination to engage with peace efforts.

The 2026 election timeline adds urgency to initiatives that build social cohesion now, before political competition intensifies. Music offers one avenue for preparing the ground.

Events like the Malakal concert signal that the international community must pair political negotiations with sustained cultural investments if South Sudan is to move beyond repeated cycles of violence.

What the World Can Learn from Malakal

The broader lesson from Malakal reaches conflict zones across Africa and beyond: music, culture, and shared celebration can create moments of unity even in the most divided communities. When 2,500 people from different sides sway to the same rhythm, peace is not just possible — it is already beginning.

This model could be replicated in other African conflicts where formal talks have stalled, provided local artists receive genuine support to serve as peace ambassadors. Their credibility often exceeds that of external actors.

Investing in cultural bridges alongside political negotiations offers a more complete approach to peacebuilding. South Sudan's experience shows that citizens respond when given opportunities to experience harmony directly.

The enduring message from the June 2025 concert is that ordinary people retain the capacity for reconciliation when given safe spaces to practice it. Continued international engagement must recognize and amplify these local efforts.

As South Sudan approaches its 2026 election target, the resilience displayed in Malakal offers a foundation worth protecting. Music alone cannot resolve every grievance, yet it can keep hope alive until political solutions catch up.

Communities that sway together, even briefly, plant seeds that later political agreements can nurture into lasting stability across the continent.

The Malakal peace concert stands as a reminder that African cultural traditions — from Senegal's griot storytelling to South Sudan's communal dances — have always held the keys to reconciliation that formal diplomacy sometimes misses. As South Sudan moves toward its 2026 elections, these cultural bridges may prove as valuable as any political negotiation.

By Amara Diop, Staff Writer