The civil war since December 2013 has resulted in neglect of many critical problems in Warrap State, according to community members who spoke at a peace event in Kuacjok on Wednesday.

“We accept the peace document, but our choices will be clear during elections,” said one member of the community, implying that the peace deal had not brought about political accountability for failures of governance.

“This war made the government forget real problems of the people, like now hunger is the current concern but because government is focusing on war, it does not address it,” said another speaker, a youth leader.

They were speaking at a public briefing about the peace agreement attended by civil society organizations such as South Sudanese Network for Democracy and Elections (SSuNDE), Gogrial state youth union, women's association among others, with support from Democracy International.

The one-day event was opened by Kuacjok town Mayor John Akol Akol at Kuacjok Freedom Square on Wednesday. Akol in his opening speech said peace has come and urged his people to welcome it.

Community members said they willingly accept the agreement that was signed in August last year without objections to anything, but they did not seem to embrace the document as their own, instead pointing to upcoming elections as an opportunity for their own voice to be heard.

“I think there is nothing we need to further discuss here because this document we have now was already written and signed and even if we have some points we don’t want then I think there will be no room for amendment,” said Michael, a citizen of Warrap State. “What we should do is that we welcome peace but we are going to have our own says or choices comes elections and this is where we shall exercise our rights to elect whoever we want to lead us he stressed”

The same youth speaker pointed to widespread hunger in the state, expressing disinterest in discussing the details of the peace document: “Let’s hope the Transitional Government of National Unity will be formed in order to find solution. See many people flee the country because of hunger. This is what I can say but with this document I don’t have objection or comment.”

The event was organized by Democracy International, whose representative Lito William said it is high that time people of South Sudan would welcome peace and focus of development of their country.

After the event, participants were given a 'citizens' handbook' on the peace agreement and a copy of the text of the peace deal.

Photo: Picture of Agreement of the resolution of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan document and Citizens’ handbook