The Governor of South Sudan’s Yei River State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony has apologized to civilians for their uncalled for suffering, and assured them of total peace and stability.
Adil, while addressing hundreds of Mukaya County residents under trees on Tuesday, said the state government remains committed to the full implementation of the revitalized peace accord signed last year.
He urged community members, including the local chiefs, women, elders, youth and the local administrative officials to join hands in preaching reconciliation, unity as well as peaceful co-existence.
“We want all the chiefs, women, youth, elders and many others to speak the language of peace, unity and I call upon those deep in villages to report to their previous villages and settle,” said Adil.
“We will send more NGOs [Non-Governmental Organizations] here. Work hard to see peace and stability in Yei River State,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mukaya residents appealed to the country’s warring factions, including the national government to cease hostilities, observe and respect all forms of human rights and ensure full commitment to the implementation of the revitalized peace accord.
Cons Woro, one of the residents, said the revitalized peace agreement should end fighting so that civilians embark on farming.
“Today [Tuesday], I want to tell the government and the other warring parties that this war must be stopped so that, together, we can go to farms,” Woro told Radio Tamazuj.
He added, “We want peace so we can use hoes to help ourselves.”
Alamin Joseph said the prolonged conflict has led to the suffering of women and children, who have no access to food and medication.
He called on the warring parties to embrace peace so that women and children access better services.
Located about nine miles north-east of Yei town, Mukaya has been a battle ground for government and opposition forces in past years.