Nelson Kwaje, founder of 211 Fact-check (left), Maura Ajak, a freelance journalist (second left) and Kafuki Jada, an Eye Radio journalist (far right) participate in IGAD regional media influencers forum in Kenya. | Photo: Courtesy

Three South Sudanese media influencers have been appointed as peace ambassadors in digital space after attending a three-day regional media influencers forum in Kenya.

The media personalities from South Sudan are Eye Radio journalist Kafuki Jada, freelance journalist Maura Ajak, and 211 Fact-checking agency founder Nelson Kwaje.

The trio was assigned the role by the IGAD Centre of Excellence for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in the Horn of Africa.

They are among peace ambassadors who were selected from different countries including Uganda, Kenya, Djibouti, Ethiopia Sudan, and South Sudan.

Marth Njeri, the head of Strategic Communication in the IGAD body said the regional influencer’s media forum is an important way of pushing the agenda of peace and security in the region, especially through digital spaces.

”We are kin on matters to do with violent extremism and how it can be countered especially through the digital spaces,” said Njeri.

“We have realized a lot of radicalization taking place in the digital spaces and therefore we thought it was very critical and at a time like this to have the media influencers who do not only have a following in social media but people who are peace ambassadors pushing for tolerance in their communities.”

“This is the first of its kind, where we looked at people who have a large following on their social media platforms and people who have consistently advocated for peace and unity and tolerance through their social media.”

The digital social media peace ambassadors are expected to counter the violent extremists’ narratives and spread messages of peace hope and unity in digital spaces.