FILE: Football fans assault plastic chairs and invade the pitch to attack a referee during a Juba-based community football tournament. (Courtesy)

What started as a unifying mission for South Sudanese youth through football has spiralled into a battleground of violence and chaos. Community peace tournaments, once a symbol of reconciliation, now struggle against political interference, rivalries, and a lack of understanding of the game’s rules.

In a country where decades of conflict have torn apart social fabric, Juba-based community peace tournaments were conceived as a unifying force.

The vision was simple: use the power of sport to heal wounds, bridge divides, and create a new culture of peace. But as the ball rolls on, the game’s hopeful message is being overshadowed by increasing violence and tension.

From late 2022 through 2023, incidents of pitch invasions, violent assaults on referees, and widespread riots plagued some of those Juba-based community football matches.

One such incident occurred during the semifinal of the Lakes State counties tournament in Juba on July 31, 2023.  The match between Cueibet and Rumbek East was called off in the 28th minute after fans clashed violently at Buluk playground. The aggression didn’t end there.

On July 16, the final match of the Aweil Martyrs Tournament intended to promote peaceful cohesion, ended in chaos when Aweil North fans stormed the pitch after a controversial stoppage-time goal by Pibor.

Some of these incidents are not isolated. They represent a growing trend of disruptive behaviour that organizers, players, and officials are struggling to control.

The root causes are complex, and while the tournaments were meant to bring communities together, they are increasingly seen as arenas for tribal pride, political showdowns, and unchecked emotions.

According to Puot Mark Biel, the Secretary of Information for the Naath Football Peace Tournament, the tournaments were initially conceived as a means to bring the youth together after the civil war of 2013.

He explained that the idea was to create a platform where communities could connect, understand one another, and foster peace. However, as he points out, political interference has turned what was supposed to be a unifying event into a breeding ground for tension.

“When politics gets involved, it fuels emotions, especially when it’s a matter of pride and rivalry. The fans start to act based on their political backgrounds, and the football match turns into a war.”

Mark’s sentiments are echoed by Bel Madut Anel, the founder of the Bahr El Ghazal League Championship. He agrees that tribalism, ignorance of football rules, and political influence are key factors behind the violence.

But he also stresses that cancelling these tournaments would only postpone the underlying issues without solving them. “Stopping the tournaments won’t change the mentality of the fans,” he warns. “They come from different cultural backgrounds, and the only way to change their perspectives is through continuous engagement.”

Indeed, the pressure on players and fans to win — often tied to their identities and tribal affiliations — is immense. Madut explains that high expectations often result in violence when the outcome doesn’t align with what fans had hoped for.

When a team loses, fans find it difficult to accept the result, and this frustration often manifests in violence, directed at referees, opposing players, or even the match organizers. The recent surge in destructive behaviour — broken chairs, pitch invasions, and assaults — is the ugly consequence of this emotional intensity.

Yet, not all hope is lost. Organizers like Poth Jokino Fidel, the mastermind behind the Collo King Cup, are trying to forge a path forward. The Collo King Cup was designed not only as a football tournament but as a cultural project to unite diverse communities.

Jokino’s vision includes forming teams that represent different counties and even mixing players from various ethnic groups. “We want to promote unity by bringing together different communities,” he says. “Football can be a tool to heal the divisions in our society and foster understanding.”

For Jokino and other organizers, football is seen as more than a game — it’s a way to build relationships, discover new talents, and showcase the positive aspects of South Sudanese society.

The hope is that, through these events, communities can reconcile and forge a collective identity. Yet, like many others, Jokino acknowledges the uphill battle to change entrenched attitudes.

Victor Lawrence, Secretary General of the South Sudan Football Association, is leading efforts to address the crisis. He believes that education is the key to transforming the youth mindset.

“We need to teach young people that football is a tool for entertainment and learning, not for violence,” Lawrence says. The Football Association is working on awareness campaigns to instil values of cooperation, mutual respect, and tolerance. “We must emphasize that sports are a means of strengthening social ties,” he explains.

In the media, sports journalist Omar Gum reflects on the dual nature of community football tournaments. While he recognizes their potential to consolidate peace, rebuild community ties, and discover football talent, he also notes the disturbing trend of violence.

Gum points out that a lack of awareness, an unwillingness to accept defeat, and disrespect for referees are contributing factors to the rising violence. “The key to curbing this behaviour is education,” he asserts. “We must educate the youth and the fans about the true meaning of these tournaments.”

Joe Cole, a prominent football coach, agrees, emphasizing that while these tournaments start with good intentions, they often devolve into conflict.

He insists that the focus must be on educating both players and fans about the rules of football and the importance of accepting match results, no matter how emotionally charged the outcome. “Football should bring people together, not tear them apart,” Cole concludes.

As Juba-based community football peace tournaments continue to navigate the delicate balance between sport and politics, the question remains: Can these events fulfil their original mission of promoting peace, or will they continue to spiral into chaos?

Organizers, players, and fans must confront their cultural baggage, learn to embrace the spirit of the game, and understand that football is a game of loss and victory — not a battleground of pride and politics.

The road to peace may be long, but as Puot Mark Biel believes, football can heal psychological scars and forge a new culture of forgiveness — if only the people are willing to let it.