By Yiep Joseph
Vice President Vice President for Infrastructure Cluster, Taban Deng has called on the community in Unity state and the Ruweng Administrative area to cease all forms of violence.
In his address to the masses while in Bentiu, Unity state, VP Taban said that the communities in Unity state and those in Ruweng Administrative Area have historical relations to maintain.
Taban’s call came at a time, the community in Unity state and Ruweng Administrative Area have been engage in confrontations and attacks leading to loss of lives as well as displacement of people.
He reiterated the urge for the communities to embrace peaceful co-existence, adding that the people of the two areas remain one, regardless of their geographical location.
“As sons and daughters of this region, let us not be misled into violence again, either by politics or land disputes. The communities in Unity state and in Ruweng Administrative Area, are one people and should cease confronting one another” Taban said.
He called on the communities and the resident in Unity state to embrace peace and Unity and support the government in achieving peace.
VP Taban expressed that peace and unity would allow the government to ensure that services are deliver to the Citizens without interruptions.
“We must unite together in support of our government under President Salva Kiir Mayardit to find solutions to issues like this flooding, lack of education and health facilities, hunger and unemployment for young people” Taban said.
He appealed to the communities to shun tribalism, land disputes and live in peace adding that dialogue remain perfect means for resolving disputes and misunderstandings.
VP Taban acknowledged the impact of flood in in greater upper Nile adding that it remains biggest problem which has uprooted families, destroyed the environment and disrupted social services such as health and education.
He discouraged the local land disputes citing that they carry no significance at a time when the country is suffering from climate crisis, economic shocks and political instability.
The Vice President applauded the Unity state governor Riek Bim Top for restoring stability and improving roads connectivity across the state.
He urged the residents in Unity State to cooperate with the governor in his efforts for peace and stability.
On his part Riek Bim applauded President Salva Kiir ’s steadfastness and commitment to peace and security in Unity State and the country at large.
He acknowledged the support from people in Unity state in particular and South Sudan at large in his course of attaining peace in the area.
The governor added that without peace and development can be disrupted adding that there is need for all the residents to work as one people toward peace and development.
He urged the Youth in Unity state to put down their guns and focus on farming, fishing and other productive areas that improve the wellbeing of the people.
Governor Bim cautioned the communities to respect the rule of law saying that anyone found doing things prohibited by law would face the consequences of the same.
The occasion marked the first of its kind since the outbreak of violence in December 2013 which devastated Unity State.
In attendance were several senior politicians from National Legislature, state legislators as well as former constitutional post holders.
On separate call President Salva Kiir reiterated his call for peace among communities in the Ruweng Administrative Area (RAA) and Unity State.
Kiir made the statement following his meeting on with RAA Chief Administrator Stefano Wieu Mialek regarding the current security situation in the region.