The Helmand peace convoy left Shahjoy district in Zabul province to Ghazni province on Friday on their journey to Kabul, the Afghan capital, to make sure the Afghan government, insurgents and the international community hear their voice for peace and stability.  

The activists started their journey from southern Helmand province last month. 

They walked for 20 days from Helmand to Kandahar and then to Zabul and now they are on their way to Ghazni.

More people are joining the peace campaign, an activist said. 

“We want peace” was their prominent slogan. 

The activists stayed in Zabul for three days to meet with more people and invite them to support the campaign.   

“We arrived in Shahjoy two days ago. Some residents of the district accompanied our convoy for 10 kilometers. We are dozens of people now. We shared our objectives with them and they supported our move,” Mawladad, an activist, said.

“All Afghans know that we want one thing and that is peace,” said Mahboob, a peace activist. “We were warmly welcomed by Shahjoy residents.” 

The residents asked anti-government armed groups to lay down their weapons and stop war and violence.

The peace convoy was formed after the first sit-in protest was launched in Helmand following a deadly suicide car bombing near Ayub Khan Stadium in Lashkargah City in March, when spectators were leaving a wrestling match. At least 16 people were killed and almost 50 others were wounded in the explosion.

The campaign received support from different provinces.

The main message and demand of the activists is peace and a ceasefire between government and militants.

“When we left Helmand, our move did not seem strong, but the number increased as we moved forward,” said Karimullah, member of the peace campaign.