By Agoku Christine Taban
South Sudanese celebrated their independence anniversary in various places with state leaders, such as Governors while others were joined by their ambassadors to foreign countries. It brought in a cordial interaction between leaders and the communities that they serve.
Its pleasure for all the citizens in different states to meet and celebrate anniversaries together with their leaders and sometimes, even, worthwhile, enjoying weekends at your home state.
Many citizens complain of only seeing some state leaders during celebrations, after conflicts or while escorting the dead for burials. They never reach communities to address issues or disputes at primary stages.
Sounding warning bells, communities are watching such leaders who will only surface at election time with makeups as exemplary for every citizen admire. Yet they did not see these leaders paying visit to plan with the people from the grassroots, important matters of how to take the country to next level.
Most touching was the pictorial published by No.1 Citizen Daily newspaper, pictures snapped by Denis Longonyi and Gladys Fred that spoke billions of words. The video of “Yi a kakuruk” farmers’ group that showed the arrival at Mere for the independence celebration at freedom square, are unexplainable.
Many people are left a gush with questions without answers; why are South Sudanese lacking food for their families? Are there man-made factors that cause food scarcity or natural disaster? What came in minds of the leaders when they saw the video and photos of the rich in mind farmers groups who displayed their produce during the celebration? Do the leaders realize the gaps which require them to fix?
The communities have shown their actions to eradicate hunger and how an independent country is supposed to be, regardless of whether the state and national governments offer Agricultural related support or not.
Their demonstration was a quest for peace. Without attacks from cattle herders, ambushes along the roads, the people could produce food and transport to big towns within South Sudan.
Our capital Juba would one day be flooded with abundance of fresh cassava, banana, sugar cane, watermelon and maize, naming only a few, needs first to work on the impediments. What is being transported expensively from the neighboring countries at times arrive South Sudan when rotten and spoilt.
What hinders activities of Kajo-Keji farmers, are man -made factors that the leaders should take into consideration. Insecurities caused by political misunderstandings and cattle herders is a man made, poor road infrastructure is another that comes due to human negligence to provide service to the citizens.
Let those who are in the bushes, come out and agree on other necessary engagements so that their party is declared among others to vie in next year’s elections. The minority in the bush could make lives of millions, miserable in this country but through understanding we all share and enjoy a slice of national peace dividend.
The farmers are playing significant roles which could fulfill both domestic consumption and commercial benefits to meet their other needs, but absence of secure and peaceful environment limits the movement of the products to the markets in the country.
Leaders should continue to engage those brothers still in bushes for talks, so that they too, table their manifestos to the communities in the forthcoming elections than continued ambushing of innocent citizens. It’s no longer time for guns, but table talks and ballots.
Earlier, the better, come out to have enough time for rehearsals for campaigns, citizens will listen to your political ideology and give you chances to win.
Better to use your energy in talking to your people than exhausting in wielding the gun. Let internal issues harmonized at home.