By Lodu William Odiya
The United Democratic Front (UDF) has called for urgency in addressing and resolving corruption in order to move a more democratic society in South Sudan.
Speaking during a press conference to the media yesterday, the Acting Secretary general of the UDF, Regina Massimo Bakheit urged the government to double efforts in fighting corruption.
“Today we are announcing a nationwide initiative to advocate for transitional justice mechanism, truth-telling processes and corruption must be addressed with urgency and resolve” she said.
“We must focus on the values that bind us together as one people. A truly democratic South Sudan is one where every citizen is seen, heard, and valued, regardless of ethnicity, gender, region, or political affiliation” Regina said.
She emphasized a crucial moment where the resilience of the institutions and the strength of unity were being tested while struggling for civil liberties and independence.
“We recognize that economic inequality, institutional mistrust, and division among our people of South Sudan still persists” she noted.
Regina further said people must forget the past and work collectively to heal division adding that the journey could not be taken by leaders alone.
“It requires citizens to hold us accountable, to participate meaningfully, and to believe that their voice matters and hurts” she added.
The absence of governance and political accountability and the diversion of national resources to corruption have stalled South Sudan’s transition and led to the most recent extension of the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement for South Sudan, further exacerbating an already dire human rights situation in the country,