Kiden Stela Mandela
For decades, the story of South Sudan has been one of struggle—a valiant fight for liberation that, once won, gave way to internal strife. The suffering of our people in the diaspora is not a new chapter, but a continuation of a painful saga rooted in the failure of our leaders to secure lasting peace.
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of 2005 was meant to be our Promised Land, a foundation for a new nation where our citizens could finally find rest. Yet, what followed was a series of broken promises. The peace we were given was fragile, and the issues of power, wealth, and self-determination were never fully resolved. The conflicts that erupted in 2013 and 2016 shattered any illusions of stability, leaving countless families displaced and in despair.
Today, nearly 2.4 million South Sudanese refugees languish in camps across neighboring countries, while another 2.3 million are internally displaced within our borders. They are the human cost of political ambition and a constant reminder of our government’s unfinished business. These numbers are not just statistics; they represent mothers, fathers, and children enduring violence, poor healthcare, and a life of idleness.
Despite these hardships, many refugees are making the perilous journey home, fueled by a desire to be productive and a sense that life in the camps offers no future. Since the revitalized peace agreement was signed in 2018, over 1.75 million have returned. However, they are returning to a land that is not fully recovered, where the threat of violence and hunger looms large. The recent influx of over 664,670 South Sudanese returnees from the conflict in Sudan only adds to the urgency of our situation.
The question that echoes in the minds of every South Sudanese citizen, both at home and abroad, is this: What will it take for our leaders to prioritize peace? Are the architects of our nation content to hear about their people starving in camps, or will they finally commit to implementing a peace agreement that holds?
Peace is not a luxury; it is the only medicine that can heal our nation and bring our people home. The government must act now to ensure total security, hold culprits accountable, and create an environment where our citizens can thrive. It is a moral obligation to every South Sudanese person, a call to be our Moses and lead us to a land of true peace and prosperity.
God Protect South Sudan
Be the spectator!