South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF) and the SPLA-IO, as representatives of our nation, must conduct themselves in a way that earns the respect of the citizens.
It is disheartening to witness the ongoing conflict in Upper Nile, where the SSPDF and SPLA-IO are blaming each other, further escalating tensions that negatively impact civilian lives. This has resulted in widespread displacement, a rising death toll, and the destruction of property, all of which hinder economic growth.
In 2022, over 52,102 members of the unified forces were screened and streamlined. Among them, approximately 7,500 were unified in Unity State. The expectation was that this would significantly reduce issues of insecurity in the country.
However, since the graduation of these forces, there have been disputes regarding the distribution of their roles, provision of weapons, and payment of salaries. The government claims not to be supplying guns, yet firearms remain in the hands of civilians, many of whom lack proper training.
This ongoing situation has allowed insecurity to persist, leading to the presence of mobile soldiers throughout the country, as proper disarmament has not been conducted and a national army is absent.
The transitional period was established through the revitalized peace agreement by the warring parties upon reaching their agreed timeline. The government subsequently developed an extension roadmap aimed at maintaining the legitimacy of national unity. While the crafted documents are appealing to the opposition, the government must prove its capability to implement domestic solutions to the conflicts that have long plagued the nation. Previous agreements appeared to be influenced by external factors, complicating implementation. This situation could change if the leaders foster a culture of trust and collaborative relationships, thereby strengthening peace-building efforts. Such positive developments would allow citizens to build their trust in the government and engage with international communities.
It is troubling to understand the circumstances faced by civilians in various regions of South Sudan, where they feel threatened and confined to specific areas. The army, as stipulated in Chapter 2 of the revitalized peace agreement, is meant to protect civilians.
The signatories of the agreement must work collectively to ensure the continued implementation of peace and guarantee safety throughout the country.
I appeal to the government to remain vigilant in its duty to protect the people of South Sudan. Failure to do so could lead to serious consequences, as the loss of more than 30 lives in a single day is indicative of a deep-seated issue.
I urge the government to provide security for all citizens across South Sudan, as ongoing violence represents a lack of peace. Investigations must be conducted to hold the perpetrators accountable.
God protect South Sudan.
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