By Alan Clement
The community of Nyirol county through their commissioner have appealed for the urgent construction of a hospital in Pading, the county headquarters.
According to a statement from Jonglei State’s press unit, the call came as communities celebrate the reintegration of former opposition soldiers into the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF).
In a statement, James Bol Makuei, Commissioner of Nyirol County, said the event marked a historic show of unity among the people of Uror, Nyirol, and Akobo, who have born the brunt of years of conflict.
“One urgent need is healthcare. Nyirol County currently has no hospital, despite national initiatives,” he remarked in a statement.
He called on President Salva Kiir, the Minister of Health, and Governor Riek to prioritize the construction of a hospital in Pading. “This is a unified request from the citizens of Nyirol,” he added in a statement.
Commenting on the reintegration of the forces, the commissioner emphasized the commitment of the Nyirol county community to the Revitalised Peace Agreement.
“We stand by the 2018 peace agreement. Today’s declaration is not just by the army; it is a declaration by the communities. They are demanding solutions to the challenges they face,” the Commissioner said in a statement.
In a statement, William Kuol Chuol, Minister of Gender, Child and Social Welfare, who represented the Governor Dr. Riek Gai Kok described the reintegration as a milestone for peace and reconciliation in Jonglei.
“There are no longer two armies in South Sudan; we have the SPLA forces,” Kuol said in a statement.
He added that the Pul-Turuk cantonment site is now officially recognized, reaffirming the state government’s backing for ongoing peace efforts.
Maj. Gen. Peter Gatkek Tolchiek, one of the opposition commanders who re-joined government ranks, reaffirmed his forces’ commitment to lasting stability.
“This is a historic day for opposition forces joining the government. We are now fully aligned with the peace process, and additional forces are enroute to join,” the General noted in a statement.
The integration of the defected forces and the renewed development appeal marked a turning point in Jonglei’s ongoing efforts to consolidate peace and rebuild war-affected communities.