By Jacob Onuha Nelson and Yiep Joseph
While President Salva Kiir gave Emmanuel Adil Anthony a second chance to lead Central Equatoria State, residents have outlined their demands.
In order to gain trust, people suggested what Adil should focus on.
Adil was appointed in 2020 and relieved in 2024.
His current reappointment in November 2025 will determine his way to the next political Season of contest and voting.
Should the election occur in 2026 as per the peace agreement, each and every politician, including Adil, will be measured through services delivery.
Although the 2018 peace agreement brought in the government of appointments and removals, the citizens and stakeholders always have mixed reactions when a leader is appointed or relieved.
As for the recent changes in Central Equatoria State, people welcomed the reappointment of Emmanuel Adil Athony and urged him to double efforts in service delivery.
Some of the members of public or residents expressed their views, citing that CES as the host state for Capital Juba needs a lot to be done.
Some of the members therefore outline what they want Governor Adil to focus on.
Among the few items brought to the table of the governor to urgently address are instability, land grabbing, tax disputes with the national government, and border disputes.
Other challenges include economic hardship, displacement, and problems associated with livestock migration.
Acknowledging the current challenges faced by the Central Equatoria state, some residents and stakeholders call on the governor to address challenges practically without delay.
In an interview with this outlet, Boboya James, a political analyst, advised Governor Adil to learn from the past experience.
He expressed that the governor must direct the City Council to improve in their performances.
According to Boboya, the governor should ensure that services such as road construction, bridges, and organizing the markets in Central Equatoria, among other services, are put in place.
The analyst urged Governor Adil to work closely with other stakeholders in order to achieve most of the developmental programs in the country.
He added that key concerns such as infrastructure development, security, stability, agriculture, health services, education services, and youth development should be critically addressed.
“So those are the fundamental issues that need to be addressed in terms of increasing the livelihoods and the development of human capital,” he said.
The analyst called on the governor to work on the unity of the political elites so that the focus is on service delivery in the state.
On his part, Mr. John Angeth Kenyi, a resident of Juba, welcomes the reappointment and urges the governor to initiate positive policies that can enhance the return of the refugees to their areas.
“There should be a clear government policy to attract CES citizens in the refugee camps to come home,” Kenyi said.
He appealed to the government to focus on ensuring that problems between the pastoralists and the farmers are addressed once and for all.
“Our government should put in place programs that promote peaceful coexistence among the pastoral communities and the farming groups,” he added.
He urged the leaders to cease division and put hands together to address the challenges.
“CES citizens still yearn for services more than government pronouncements whatsoever the case; they include education, health, food security, youth mentorship, people with disabilities and women empowerment programs, infrastructural developments, and modern city settings & portrayals, among others,” he added.
He called on the governor to resolve the pending border disputes.
Alfred Bida, in his open letter to the governor, expressed that peace remains a priority for the people of Central Equatoria and South Sudan at large.
“The foremost priority of the people of Central Equatoria is security. Without peace and safety, accessing villages and coexisting in harmony remain distant dreams. If your renewed appointment can accomplish this vital call for security and unity, your name will shine brightly in the eyes of the people and history,” he said.
“Secondly, the economic well-being of the citizens depends largely on their ability to access their farms and agricultural products. Accessible roads are the gateway to unlocking this potential, allowing the citizens to boost their livelihoods, reduce poverty, and contribute to the state’s prosperity,” he added.
He appealed to the governor to use every step to ensure that services are fully delivered to the people.
Chaweh W.K. Tong called on leaders to understand the difference between politics, party, government, and community.
He urged the politicians in the community to play an important role that helps to organize, lead, and improve the lives of the people they represent in government.