By Kiden Stela Mandela

South Sudanese people yearn for peace. It’s become a painful cycle where one part of the country finds calm while another is engulfed in violence. Our leaders must take a firm stand and address the clashes tearing our nation apart.

The violence has been relentless, from the Pibor Administrative Area to Lasu Payam in Central Equatoria State. Civilians are caught in the crossfire, dying while trying to find safety. Women and children are the most vulnerable; they are killed, displaced, and face starvation and a lack of medical care. This chaos unfolds even as our country is supposedly in a peace process.

The government and all political parties must honor their commitments. They need to fully implement the 2018 peace agreement and take immediate action to disarm civilians and cattle raiders to end communal violence. This will bring us closer to lasting peace.

This situation feels politically motivated. If politicians are behind this violence, they are losing the trust of the very people they wish to represent. The population is shrinking daily due to these conflicts, and no one seems to be taking responsibility.

I appeal to the government and opposition groups to move forward with the 2018 peace agreement and bring total peace to the nation ahead of the 2026 elections. We need leaders to focus on development, strengthening our education and healthcare systems, rather than on power struggles.

May God protect South Sudan.

Be the spectator!