Dear Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit,
Your Excellency,
I write with utmost respect and patriotism to draw your attention to the critical state of our national infrastructure, particularly the major road networks that are essential for the economic stability and the well-being of our people. As the country prepares for general elections in 2026, these infrastructure challenges require urgent rescue to support national cohesion, trade, and development.
South Sudan relies heavily on a few road corridors that connect our communities internally and link our country to neighboring nations. These vital roads facilitate trade, improve access to services, and stimulate our economy. The following major routes remain national priorities:
- Juba–Nimule Road (Uganda Corridor)
- Juba–Nadapal Road (Kenya Corridor)
- Juba–Bahr el-Ghazal Road, extending to Unity State
- The incomplete Juba–Bor–Malakal Road
Your Excellency, these are not just roads; they are national lifelines. Their proper rehabilitation, completion, and maintenance will reduce the cost of goods and services, support your long-standing economic recovery agenda, and bring relief to millions of citizens. Improved road access is one of the fastest ways to lower transport costs, stabilize prices, boost local production, and revive the economy.
I bring this matter to your attention out of a commitment to the nation you led to independence. Many South Sudanese, including myself, believe that the situation on the ground does not always reach your desk with transparent and honest information.
Your Excellency, I appreciate your quick action in addressing the challenges that hinder our national progress. Should this letter not reach your office on time, kindly understand.
Some individuals who present themselves as reformists, politicians entrusted with delivering public services through various institutions, often delay or complicate essential projects, sometimes for personal or political reasons. While they publicly claim to champion reform, their actions slow progress and deny our people the services they deserve.
Your famous words, “I have people who know how to eat, but not how to work,” reflect your recognition of this challenge. You have always intended to reward the people through better services, particularly through roads that symbolize freedom from decades of marginalization. Yet many entrusted with responsibilities have used your goodwill, trust, and sympathy to advance themselves rather than deliver for the citizens (Junubiin).
Your Excellency, I acknowledge that this letter may not fully reflect all the realities due to circumstances beyond my control, but the core issues remain clear. For this reason, I respectfully recommend that your Special Envoy, Adut Salva Kiir, be tasked to assess the mentioned road corridors. She can provide you with an honest, firsthand, and unbiased report on their progress and the challenges affecting them.
Your Excellency, I know you are facing several challenges, both internal and regional, such as the inconsistency of oil production and flow through Sudan. Managing a diverse population of Junubiin, shaped by different experiences during the liberation struggle, is not easy.
Even those who claim to be the most capable have at times failed to deliver. Some of your opponents once served under your administration in various capacities, yet instead of improving the system and advocating reform from within, they made little meaningful progress.
I know you have the best solutions to redirect those in charge to complete the unfinished work and to initiate pending projects. However, as a concerned South Sudanese and development practitioner, I would like to offer the following recommendations:
- Commission an independent technical assessment
Establish a neutral, high-level engineering and audit task force under the Office of the President to thoroughly re-inspect all key roads and provide direct, unbiased reports to your office.
2. Strengthen oversight, monitoring, and accountability
Implement a robust supervision and monitoring mechanism to ensure contractors meet quality standards and deadlines, thereby reducing delays, cost overruns, and opportunities for corruption.
3. Prioritize completion of the four strategic roads before 2026
Fast-track the construction and completion of these critical corridors, as their timely delivery will lower transport and fuel costs, ease market pressure, and stimulate national economic stability.
4. Encourage public–private partnerships (PPP)
Open space for credible national, regional, and international investors to participate in road development, helping reduce financial strain on government resources while improving efficiency.
5. Enhance regional infrastructure cooperation
Strengthen engagement with Uganda and Kenya to coordinate cross-border infrastructure initiatives, improve trade corridors, and enhance regional economic integration.
6. Use roads as catalysts for economic transformation
Recognize road connectivity as a powerful driver of growth, with the potential to cut transportation costs by an estimated 40–60%, making food and essential commodities more affordable for millions of South Sudanese.
Your Excellency,
Our people look toward your leadership for hope, stability, and prosperity. By addressing these infrastructure priorities, you will not only uplift the economy but also reinforce national unity and confidence as we approach the 2026 elections. South Sudan stands to gain enormously from your timely intervention.
Lastly, I would appreciate it if anyone who volunteers to deliver this letter to the President could ensure it reaches his office without delay.
With respect and loyalty to the nation,
Lekk Danel.
The writer is a media specialist and development practitioner. He can be reached via leek2daniel@gmail.com.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.