A member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) representing Western Bahr el Ghazal State over the weekend advised his Luo community to stop marrying off their young girls before they complete their studies.

Hon. Mark Nyipuoch Ubong who is also an elder of the Luo community made the remarks on Sunday in Wau town during the fifth Luo cultural celebrations.

“What I am telling you today (Sunday), the entire Luo tribes, whether you are in Malakal or the Luo in Kenya, we thank God that he has made us reach the year 2022, there are so many that did not reach 2022,” Hon. Nyipuoch said. “My message again, like the one of last year, is that you Luo must stop early marriage. Do not marry off young girls before they grow up; take them to school to study such that they become doctors.”

He emphasized: “Do not marry off the young girls at 12-13 years of age; this is very bad and if you all go back home, tell your parents to stop this.”

For her part, the vice-chancellor of the University of Bahr el Ghazal, Dr. Hawa Abdalla Margan echoed the call and said the level of education in South Sudan is still wanting.

“The level of education in South Sudan is still low and this requires people to tackle it. I am saying both girls and boys should go be taken to school to study together,” Dr. Margan said. “You parents should send your children to school. They should complete secondary school and go to universities because the world has changed.”

She called for the empowering of rural women to enhance their resilience through capacity building.

SSPDF boss urges displaced people to return home

Speaking at the same function, the SSPDF’s Fifth Infantry Division commander in Western Bahr el Ghazal State called on the civil population who fled due to conflict between 2016 and 2017 conflict to return to their homes.

Major General Abraham Gum Makuac said people should no longer fear for their lives since the situation has returned to normal and the SSPDF and armed opposition were at peace.

“I want to tell you that 2021 has ended in peace and today we have reached 2022,” Gen. Gum said. “In the name of the security committee, which includes me the division commander, and my colleagues in police, national security, prison service, fire brigade, and wildlife, I am representing them and I want to tell you that the security of this state is 100 percent stable.”