By Yiep Joseph
At Nuer Cultural Festival held over the weekend, community members called on the government to improve service delivery at the grassroots level.
The festival, organized by the Nuer Youth Union (NYU), drew participants from across the country.
Held under the theme “Preserving Our Heritage, Advancing Peace, and Championing Justice & Social Change,” the event showcased the rich cultural traditions of Nuer communities from areas including Akobo, Nasir, Guit, Koch, Ayod, Rubkotna, Longechuk, Payinjiar, Nyirol, Mayiandit, Ulang, Mayom, Fangak, Leer, Maiwut, and Uror.
Representatives from other communities, such as the Dinka, Bari, and Shilluk, also participated, further highlighting the festival’s diverse and inclusive nature.
Speaking to this publication during the festival, numerous Nuer community members emphasized the urgent need for better services.
Nyamai Boub Kulang, a woman representative from Mayiandit County cultural groups, expressed her appreciation for the leaders’ focus on peace and called on them to translate this commitment into tangible improvements in the lives of people at the grassroots level.
“I appreciate our leaders for working on peace, but flooding and poor services are disturbing us. Our people have no medicine, people are dying, and there are no roads. We need them,” Boub said.
She appreciated the government allowing cultural events without interference, adding that such events strengthen peace among communities.
“We are very happy, as Nuer and South Sudanese at large, we are very happy for the event, and I really thank the organizers and the president of the country for allowing us to enjoy this day,” she said.
Moses Kueat Gatkek, representative of Greater Upper Nile Chiefs, appealed to the government to strengthen efforts to provide basic medicine at the grassroots.
“We need medicine; it is an important service now. People who are far deep down in the villages have no medicine to treat themselves,” Kueat said.
He stated that the local chiefs are committed to working for peace and implementing government policies that bring unity among the people.
The chief appreciated the organization of the cultural event, adding that it reflects the importance of cultures that are from generation to generation.
“We are very happy for our youth to organize this event to promote and protect our culture as it’s left to us by our ancestors. We are very happy for those who support us” he said.
Peter Makoi Bediet, a chief from Unity State, called on the government to allocate enough funds to support agriculture and build a strong dyke in the areas affected by conflict.
He reiterated that calm has returned to the country, and there is a need to double efforts in service delivery.
“I am telling the president that the country is calm; if it was not calm, we could not be here for this occasion.
What is left for the government is to build schools, roads, and health centers. I mean, good service to our people,” he said.
Sunday Simon, identifying himself as a member of the global Nuer community, urged citizens to embrace unity, love, and peaceful coexistence.
He emphasized that mutual love fosters both peace and development.
Kam Lieth, a representative of the Liech cultural group, also echoed the call for unity and appealed to the national government for support to state governments in assisting grassroots communities.
He expressed gratitude to the wider South Sudanese community for joining the Nuer people in celebrating their cultural heritage at the festival.
“I am happy it was the Nuer cultural festival, and I am seeing many tribes taking part. That is a good gesture for peace, and we need to keep it up” he said
He called on the government to continue with the implementation of the peace agreement as well as service delivery.