Former Child Soldier Appointed UN Habitat Ambassador

Anthony Nyongesa
Nairobi

LAM TUNGWAR, A FORMER Sudanese child soldier who is now a musician, has been appointed the UN Habitat Ambassador of Truth.

The musician, who is riding high with a number of gospel and secular songs, says his appointment is a sign that South Sudanese artistes are not only being recognised in Africa but around the world.

"A number of musicians from South Sudan are rocking the world with their songs, which are usually full of messages ranging from peace to social issues," said the musician, popularly known simply as Lam.

Lam's main mission is to address issues affecting the youth in East Africa, such as child abuse and disarming youth who have guns in the region.

"I will be doing this by organising shows in different parts of the region, particularly Southern Sudan, Kenya and Uganda, " said Lam.

Even before his appointment late last year, Lam, who until recently was based in Nairobi, has been spearheading a campaign to enlighten the youth on the importance of surrendering illegal guns.

"The campaign, which has been done through music shows, has proved to be successful because a number of young people, including child soldiers, have surrendered their weapons," said the musician, who heads the South Sudanese Artistes Association. The association comprises more than 2,000 Sudanese entertainers in and outside the country.

The first concerts that Lam will stage after the UN appointment will be in Juba from April 8 to 12 and will bring together artistes from Uganda, Kenyan and Southern Sudan.

Dubbed the Youth Empowerment Summit, the show is being organised by UN Habitat in collaboration with the South Sudanese Artistes Association.

During the recent violence in Kenya, Lam, with the support of the UN, managed to bring together youth leaders from various parts of the country to discuss their role in maintaining peace.

THE MUSICIAN SAYS THAT the meeting, which was held at the UN Headquarters in Nairobi, was a great achievement since a number of youths who turned up agreed to mobilise their colleagues to shun violence.

"In short, my office has two purposes - to educate the youth on how they can empower themselves in any and to focus on projects that are helpful to them," said Lam, who believes that music can bring change to his country.

Lam's story is an inspiring one. He was born in Southern Sudan 25 years ago and grew up herding his father's cattle.

"One day," he said, "a group of men who were passing by asked me if I was interested in going to school. Even before I could answer, they took me with them."

Instead of being taken to a school, though, he was taken to a camp belonging to the Sudanese People's Liberation Army in Ethiopia.

He and other children, all below 11 years, received military training to fight the Sudanese government soldiers.

BESIDES MUSIC, LAM HAS written a book based on his first album - The Child Soldier - which talks of his tribulations during that time. The book, which was published in Nairobi three years ago, was co-authored with Evans Maendeh, a Sudanese journalist based in Nairobi.

Currently, the musician is working on his third album, The President, which will be launched in both Nairobi and Juba.

Will he quit music following the recent UN appointment?

"No way," he said. "I was born a musician and it is through music that I have got my new mandate. I will continue singing until my last breath."

Lam is following in the footsteps of his cousin, Jal, who is based in the UK. Jal has not only excelled in music but also acted in a movie titled War Child, which is to be released in the US soon. It was shot in various countries, including Sudan and Kenya.

I BELIEVE I AND JAL HAVE LEFT a mark on the entertainment scene in Southern Sudan," said Lam.

The musician has a two-hour radio programme that is broadcast throughout the country.

This is another platform he uses to preach peace through music and to encourage young people to embrace music.