South Sudan’s President, Salva Kiir Mayardit, has called on citizens in the Jonglei State capital, Bor town to be cautious as more floods are expected to hit the state in the coming months.
Addressing a crowd of citizens at a rally in Bor on Thursday, President Kiir decried suffering the floods induced on the civil population in the state, urging them to remain at their homes despite the devastating floods.
“I am very happy to be with you in Bor town. Today, I came to see how you are struggling with your livelihoods. I know floods have destroyed your homes, killing your cows and goats. But my message to you is that do not leave your homes. You have to stay despite the floods. More floods are expected to come. So, people must get prepared.”
According to the president, the flood situation needs a permanent solution, which he did not specify or promise.
"Last year’s flood is not over. It will come again. Those in Uganda are opening their dams. And waters from there will go nowhere else, they will find their way into this Nile. So, the Khartoum people will be told to also open the dam in Jebel Auiya so that it takes in water, and that the water does not bounce back. They will also be told to open up the Merowe dam. And the same for Egypt there. So, this issue of floods is not over. And so it needs a permanent solution to address the issue once and for all," he added.
President Kiir also urged the communities to remain resilient and till the land for food production.
"The reason we fought for liberation was for us to develop our home. And so that people will be free in that food can not be bought from the outside annually. Our soil is very fertile. It is better if we are to cultivate ourselves," he stated.
In conclusion, Kiir promised the people of Bor more visits.