By William Madouk
Central Equatoria State Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla Wani has urged local leaders and families in Morobo County to engage in meaningful conversations with young people to prevent youth from joining rebellion groups.
In his speech on Saturday, the governor called on local leaders to talk about the consequences of rebellion and the importance of peace.
“We want you to be in peace and peace cannot come unless we sit down as sons and daughters of Morobo, as South Sudanese to dialogue,” Governor Jadalla said .
He added that resorting to guns cannot solve a matter but deepens the suffering of the common citizens.
“Because if there are any grievances it cannot be solved by gun – if there is any concern it can be solved through the word of mouth, through dialogue,” he stressed.
“We as communities must sit down with the county’s elite traditional leaders, men or women, youth – let’s sit down and talk to our sons who are still going to bush. What do we need from war again? People are suffering at refugee camps, in Uganda, DR. Congo,” Jadalla lamented.
He called on the holdout groups to join Tumaini Initiatives for lasting peace, echoing that President Salva Kiir’s amnesty is still valid.
“The world has advanced, and the greatest weapon for mankind is no longer the power of gun but power of brain through the advancement of in technology that comes through education,” he noted.
Gen. Jadalla further urged the people to re-strategize and ask themselves what would the benefit from a ‘senseless war’ that breaks the social fabric, adding he would not accept part of his state to be a ‘theatre of war.’
Meanwhile, a representative for Morobo Women’s Union, Ajonye Prossy highlighted challenges facing women in Morobo County, including insecurity, health, business, and education.
Morobo Youth representative, Denaya Cosmas rued about the spate of insecurity in the County.
“H.E as the youth in the state we would like to tell you that Morobo is the worst County in CES – if you go to Busia and Kaya you will really see what I am talking about,” he said.
Mr. Cosmas tipped the governor on the high ‘unemployment rate’ among youth in Morobo County and urged for a solution.
He added some job creator youth would like to embark on establishing a business but insecurity thwarts their dreams. Comas urged the governor to work hard to restore peace.
On Monday, CES Governor Jadalla embarked on his long-planned tour to counties of Central Equatoria State.
The tour is under the theme “consolidating durable peace, unity, security, and stability in Central Equatoria State.”
It was aimed at restoring calm and hope among the citizens of the state, especially those in the grassroots where there are still pockets of insecurity.
However, violence erupted on Wednesday, last week in Wunduruba Administrative Payam following a clash between government-affiliated Gen. Kenyi Abdu, also known as Kenyi Warrior, and the National Salvation United Forces (NSUF) under Gen. Kenyi Loburon in Logoko Boma.
The incident that happened instantly after Jadalla left resulted in the deaths of 24 people, including 19 civilians.
Nicholas Haysom, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNMISS called for an immediate investigation by the Government of South Sudan to bring the perpetrators to justice.