By Yiep Joseph
The leadership of Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing intercommunal conflicts plaguing the country, stating that the conflicts are hindering the implementation of their development plans.
The leaders who were speaking during the swearing-in ceremony of SPLM leaders from the conflict-affected areas of Warrap and Western Equatoria States stressed the need to bring an end to the vice.
Rt. Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, the Speaker of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly and a member of the SPLM Political Bureau mentioned that communal violence is consuming a significant amount of energy and resources.
Hon. Nunu revealed that the government, and the SPLM in particular, have a clear peace agenda aimed at restoring stability and creating an environment conducive to development.
“We have a national peace agenda; we are to implement the peace agreement and stop this instability in our country so that we can be able to implement our program of the SPLM,” she said.
“Without peace, we cannot implement, we cannot achieve, we cannot fulfil the promises we made to our people, so we need peace,” she added.
Recently at least 20 people were reported to have been killed and 38 others wounded in inter-communal fighting in Warrap, one of the restive States.
According to reports, tension remained high in the area amidst state government efforts to bring stability to the area.
SPLM party secretary general, Peter Lam Both, urged members at various levels to work for peace and unity of the people, stating that without peace, the party cannot operate well.
“In relation to maintaining peace and security and bringing about the unity of people where you are going(states), if you do not have that unity, the SPLM cannot function well,” Lam said.
He added that the persistent conflict continues to obstruct development in the country.
In his part, Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, presidential senior advisor and the SPLM deputy chairman stressed that the country needs peace for development to take shape.
“What we need in our country is peace. If there is no peace, then there is no development, and if there is no development” Kuol said.
“Peace is important; without peace, you cannot even eat,” he added.
Dr. Benjamin Bol Mel, Presidential Special Envoy on Special Programs, and the 1st Deputy Secretary General for the SPLM urged the leaders to embark on peace and stop revenge attacks among communities.
“We must also guarantee the security of life and property, as it is crucial for South Sudan’s economic development,” he said
“Revenge is the worst for progress and national cohesion,” he added.
Meanwhile, Francis Marial, Governor of Warrap State, vowed to work for peace in the state.
“My government’s foremost priorities are peace, security, and stability in Warrap State,” Marial said.
He acknowledged the current ongoing conflict in the area and urged the top party leadership to team up in his support and bring peace and stability.
“Warrap is now having a lot of problems, especially insecurity, which is very rampant, we are going to overcome the problem in the state, especially insecurity,” he said.
Daniel Badagbu Rambasa, the Deputy Governor of Western Equatoria State, promised to serve his people with the hope of bringing peace.
“My people of Western Equatoria, I am coming as a servant leader to work with you together so that we can implement the peace and to unite the people of Western Equatoria,” he said.
In a report from March 2024, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) highlighted a significant increase in intercommunal conflict. The report documented 862 victims who were killed, injured, abducted, or subjected to conflict-related sexual violence during incidents in the last quarter of 2023.