By Chol D. Johnson
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Monday Simaya Kumba, has urged youth to peacefully engage in their cultures, citing that it is an important component of the nation-building process.
Speaking on Thursday during a New Year cultural celebration event organized by South Sudanese youth at the APT center in Juba, Kumba expressed culture as a very important component of the nation.
“I would like to express the fact that you may agree with me that culture is a very important component of the nation-building process,” he said.
He expressed that youth, women, and communities can use different cultures as avenues for the nation-building process.
“I say, youth and culture can be defined as very important components of our nation-building process,” he said.
Kumba expressed excitement as hundreds of youths gathered to share their cultures and celebrate the new year together.
The event was attended by the minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the former governor of Jonglei state, Philip Aguer Panyang, the former commissioner of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), Simon Akuei Deng, and many other government officials.
Simaya said that seeing the youth and women strong, beautiful, and handsome together is a bright future for the nation.
He urged the South Sudanese community’s youth and women to continue supporting the government.
“I would like to urge our communities, our youth, and our women to continue supporting our government,” Kumba urged.
He reiterates the government’s commitment to ensure peace.
“The government and President of the Republic of South Sudan, H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, continue advocating and working hard and actively for the unity of our people,” he added.
” On behalf of His Excellency, the President of the Republic, to wish you a very happy New Year 2026, and may the Lord Almighty continue to bless you,” he added.
Philip Aguer Panyang, the former governor of Jonglei State, narrated the importance of culture in the society of South Sudan.
“In fact, culture in Dinka revolved around the word beauty. Beauty in Dinka is expressed in cows and particularly in the decorated bull and beautiful woman,” he described.
Simon Akuei Deng, former National Revenue Authority (NRA), urged artists to abstain from composing songs of hate speeches and singing songs that divided youth.
“I urged you artists, who are loved by everyone, to write songs that bring peace and unite the people rather than divide them,” he urged.
Akuei said the culture is important to keep you respected and valued by other communities as proud sons and daughters of a great community.
Furthermore, Akuei acknowledged the youth who gathered to celebrate the new year 2026 as also the year of the forthcoming election.
He urged youth to be ready and carefully vote wisely without being briefed, because some will come and buy the votes.
“I urged you this as the election will kick off this; be careful about your vote not to be sold by other interested individuals,” AKuei urged.
The celebration featured artists performing traditional Dinka songs from Jonglei and Lake State, led by the most well-known artist in Dinka culture, Atem Bior Atem (Atem Aduldul), and Akol Dau Majokdit.