Juba, South Sudan,
June 29, 2021 – South Sudanese should direct their efforts and work toward eradicating poverty and hunger and consider the two the greatest enemies of the people but not a fellow citizen, a senior official in Eastern Equatoria State has said.
This comes during a training workshop organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, the Reconstituted Joint Monitoring, and Evaluation Commission, and the UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund in Torit.
Speaking at the occasion, Ruth Buga, the Minister of Trade and Industry for Eastern Equatoria said though trainees were leaders it was important that the sense of unity begins among themselves.
“Although we are here as leaders, we are first and foremost Eastern Equatorians who have been empowered by the people to serve selflessly. Our common enemies should be poverty and hunger, not each other,” Buga said.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, the one-week workshop aimed at equipping government-appointed state officials with leadership skills.
“To govern well is easier said than done. If you are an inexperienced politician in the world’s youngest nation, to be perfectly familiar with your role and know how to cooperate and build trust among citizens are even more challenging, yet indispensable, tasks,” UNMISS said in a statement.
“Fortunately, for newly appointed government officials in Eastern Equatoria State, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan recently organized a week-long workshop in Torit for them, addressing not only these issues but also how best to support the full and speedy implementation of the country’s revitalized peace agreement at the subnational level,” it added.
The UN Mission emphasized the importance of understanding the context of the revitalized peace agreement and working towards its full implementation.
“Accomplishing durable peace is perhaps the greatest good for politicians to aim at, which means that an in-depth review of the relevant chapters of the peace accord, and how each of them relates to necessary actions at the state level, was essential. Tricky but vital tasks like security sector arrangements, transitional justice, and the elaboration of a permanent constitution were all covered,” it says.
The Governor of Eastern Equatoria, Louis Lobong Lojore who was also in attendance said it was a collective responsibility of the state leadership to ensure that the agreement is implemented.
“We are one government and it is our collective responsibility to implement the agreement. This is why it is crucial to develop one strategic plan for this, and also to mobilize resources and provide our citizens with services and sustainable development,” Lobong was quoted to have said.
UNMISS Deputy Special Representative, Guang Cong said violence leads to nowhere urging a retreat from subnational clashes if lasting peace is to be realized.
“Today, it is clear that political confrontation leads nowhere. We expect this retreat to promote successful implementation of the revitalized peace deal at the subnational level,” Mr. Cong said.
