The Eastern Equatoria State government on Sunday awarded certificates of appreciation to honor 40 veterans who participated in the struggle for independence since the 1950s.
The veterans were recognized at a ceremony to commemorate South Sudan’s twelfth Independence Day anniversary in Riwoto in Kapoeta North County on Sunday under the theme “Consolidating peace and stability to pave the way for peaceful elections.”
Last year, the Eastern Equatoria State government commemorated Independence Day in Magwi County and unanimously agreed to make the event rotational as a means of bringing government closer to the people.
Kapoeta North County Commissioner Emmanuel Ephone Lolimo said the 40 veterans who fought against British rule and the struggle for independence since the mid-1950s received certificates of appreciation.
“Most of the veterans are still alive and a few of them are dead but the state government was able to recognize all of them because we must value their contribution. It will also let their families know that their kin was a very important person who they should emulate,” he said. “I think this is a good gesture from the state government to thank them by awarding those certificates. Apart from that, I think the state does not have any other plan to help them to improve their lives.”
At the same function, Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said it was time for citizens to work hard to enjoy the fruits of independence.
“Dear citizens, we have had 12 years of independence and a lot has happened during this period and we missed the point of being independent, free, and did not exercise democracy. Our people have suffered from natural and manmade calamities because of our selfishness, greed, and struggle for power,” he said. “Now that we have the Roadmap which is being implemented, it is time to put the past behind us, fully forgive and reconcile for the sake of our country and people. We should always put the interest of our people and country first before our personal interests.”
“To be an independent country requires us to be self-reliant and in order to achieve our economic independence, we need to have industries that manufacture basic goods,” Lobong added.
The governor said the government is striving to provide basic services.
For his part, Severino Maira Janus, the speaker of the state parliament, tasked leaders to spread the message of peace.
“We want peace to reign in our country and we should shun all negative practices like cattle raiding, road ambushes, and revenge killings because they retard development,” he advised. “I would like to remind us that we have fertile land for agriculture which can produce enough food. Let us work hard to fight hunger and famine.”
The leader of the youth in Kapoeta North County, Elias Iko, called upon the state authorities to empower the youth to make them self-reliant.
“We urge the government to support us in terms of education and development and help us build resilience,” he said. “No one can bring development apart from the youth so they must be focused on.”