South Sudanese leaders and the country’s opposition should ensure speedy implementation of the revitalized peace agreement to allow the free movements of civilians, residents of Kondeko Boma in South Sudan’s Yei River state have appealed.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Monday, John Bethuel, a Kondeko Boma resident, welcomed the peace accord, but said peace has eluded his community due to violation of a section of the peace deal.
He further said civilians in villages do not access their farmlands due to restricted movements of civilians.
“We are happy because the peace agreement has been signed, but at the moment our outcry is that the roads are not completely opened in Yei. We don’t have rights to access our farms, civilians are still being killed in some of the areas at gunpoint,” said Bethuel.
He added, “We want the government and the various opposition groups to seriously respect and implement the peace agreement”.
Tartijio Abugo, an area chief, urged residents to promote peace culture, fight violence and support the peace deal.
“The process of peace building starts with you and me. I want you to go out there as community change agents and begin the culture of talking the language of peace and reconciliation so that we promote peaceful co-existence in our community,” said Abugo.
He thanked Community Empowerment for Progress Organisation (CEPO) and its partners for visiting the Boma and preaching messages of unity and peace building in his area.
CEPO began a community outreach peace program preaching peaceful co-existence and reconciliation with specific emphasis on Chapter V of the revitalized peace agreement.
“The community outreach activities are designed to roll out peace messages to the rural population and to also hear from communities some of the obstacles hindering peace building and peaceful co-existence in the Yei area”, CEPO said in a statement issued Monday.
Meanwhile, Grace Kadia, a Yei River State Peace Commission member, urged the locals to remain hopeful for peace to prevail.
“Don’t lose hope, let’s continue passing correct information to the residents, begin reconciling with one another and remain prepared to see the implementation of the peace agreement”, she said.
In September last year, South Sudan’s warring factions signed a revitalized peace agreement to end the devastating civil war that has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions.