Juba, 13 November, 2019 / 1:04 am (ACI Africa).
A day after South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir Mayardit and the Vice-President designate Dr. Riek Machar agreed to postpone the formation of a unity government by 100 days, a move that has been welcomed by various groups including Christian leaders, the country’s capital hosted a marathon that attracted some 1,000 participants among them, the 84-year Bishop Emeritus of Torit diocese, Paride Taban.
“I ran 1 Km, with Barnaba Marial; we were the first group to start. We went up to the point and then afterwards, the others came and started the race,” Bishop Emeritus of South Sudan’s Torit diocese, Paride Taban told ACI Africa, Saturday November 9 after the Fun Marathon at John Garang Mausoleum where he was alongside the Presidential Advisor and Special Envoy, Dr. Barnaba Marial Benjamin.
“When they (people) ask – how old are you? I say, I am 84 years young, not old,” Bishop Taban said hinting at his strategy to keep fit.
The 10km marathon was organized by Biking and Hiking Club with the purpose of getting South Sudanese run for peace and reconciliation in their country that has been experiencing civil conflict since December 2013.
“Our intention was to bring the population of Juba out, South Sudanese and non-South Sudanese alike to come out and participate,” the organizer and Co-founder of Biking and Hiking Club Ambassador Thiik Giir Thiik told ACI Africa correspondent.
