By Philip Buda Ladu
Central Equatoria State Governor Gen. Augustino Jadalla Kamilo Wani wrapped up his counties tour in Kajo-Keji County where he addressed local concerns.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to peace and stability during a rally held at Freedom Square, Mere town on Tuesday 16, October, 2024.
Addressing multitude of locals at the Freedom Square, Governor Jadalla delivered a message from President Salva Kiir Mayardit, urging the locals to embrace dialogue and prioritize development.
“He [The President] calls for collective efforts to restore durable peace. He has called the youth and people of Kajo-Keji County to embrace peace and renounce the growing culture of violence,” Jadalla stated.
He added that the President has urged the holdout groups to use the amnesty he declared in Yei in 2017 to join the peace process through the Tumaini Peace initiative in Nairobi.
The governor’s mission to Kajo-Keji County like the other counties was to acquaint himself with the socio-economic and security situation and condition of the citizens.
He acknowledged the challenges faced by people of Kajo-Keji, including inadequate services, trauma, and border disputes and assured of the State government’s commitment and efforts in addressing these issues within its reach.
“My people of Kajo-Keji I am aware of the challenges you are all going through. The challenge of inadequate health and education services, trauma, improper roads rehabilitation, resettlement and reintegration, border encroachment and disputes among several others,” said Jadalla.
“In that regard I need to inform you that I and key members of my cabinet have come all the way from Juba by road to share this pain you are going through. We carry you dearly in our hearts,” he empathized with the local populace.
He added that the current challenges in the country are temporary and all the current difficulties facing the citizens will come to an end.
Governor Jadalla also underscored his efforts in engaging the national government to ensure that the border dispute between South Sudan and Uganda is resolved.
The unresolved border issue between the two countries continues to remain a provocative source of conflict between the neighboring communities of Kajo-Keji County and of the two Uganda’s districts of Moyo and Yumbe.
Meanwhile, the governor highlighted how tied the hands of the State and county authorities are in resolving the issue of international boundaries which lay within the national government mandate.
“Our role as State and county authorities shall be keeping good relationship with the neighboring communities of the two districts because we all border each other” Jadalla said.
The governor therefore, urged the Hon. Commissioner and the people of Kajo-Keji County to maintain peaceful co-existence with the neighboring border communities of Uganda until the two governments resolve this issue.
“Our country is a blessed nation. It has all the resources; oil, gold, cement, forestry, mountains etc. Our great grandparents had done their part. They fought and protected this land at all cost,” Jadalla emphasized. “Never ever should the current challenges mislead you to abandon your patriotism and protect your land.”
Local leaders echoed the need for peace and stability, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure improvements, refugee return, and border resolution.
Hon. David Lisi Christopher, the Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County appreciated the Governor and his delegation for visiting the county saying the security situation has improved in the area.
Lisi outlined some of the challenges that need immediate attention in the county including; improvement of schools and health facilities destroyed by 2016 war, presence of nomadic cattle herders, rehabilitation of Kajo-Keji – Juba road plus internal road network, immediate facilitation for the return of refugees and border encroachment.
“The other issue here that can encourage us is the cooperative and rural development. We have the people and the agricultural activities in the villages” the commissioner pointed.
He said in the five Payams there were about five cooperative societies but they are already down.
“You know Cooperatives are sources of development and they also bring essential goods closer to the rural areas,” Hon. Lisi emphasized.
Mary Keji the women’s representative of Kajo-Keji County echoed the need for total peace and stability in the county for people to return.
She noted that women and children are suffering in camps due to several displacements and lack of enough food.
“We are requesting durable peace. We have lost our children due to the movement of the people of Kajo-Keji to refugee camps looking for safety and education,” Keji said stressing the need for collective efforts to ensure restoration of stability.
Kenyi Henry John, the youth leader of Kajo-Keji County expressed the same sentiment underscoring that the visit of the Governor portrays hope to the people of Kajo-Keji.
He appealed to the government to support youth through vocational training, agribusiness empowerment, sports activities, and back to learning campaigns.
He assured the State government of the youth’s support in search for peace and stability to embrace the local culture of self-reliance.
“Your Excellency (Governor), Kajo-Keji people are hardworking people and self-reliant who just need peace and security. They can fix most of their own gaps especially food and livelihood needs,” Kenyi said.
Kajo-Keji County has been significantly affected by the 2016 conflict, with many locals displaced to refugee camps and local infrastructures destroyed.
Governor Jadalla’s tour of the counties across the State is aimed at fostering peace, unity, security and stability.