By Lodu William Odiya
The Governor of Western Equatoria State (WES), Badagbu Daniel has pledged to transition the from culture of war to peace in the state.
In a statement released the governor’s press unit on Thursday, the remark followed a courtesy visit of the Governor Daniel to Vice President Josephine Lagu Yanga, Chairperson of the Service Cluster, where he presented a comprehensive 140-day strategic plan focused on peacebuilding, public health response and economic recovery in the state.
He stressed the importance of restoring social cohesion, rebuilding trust among communities and promoting reconciliation as critical steps toward lasting peace.
“We must transition Western Equatoria from a culture of war to a culture of peace,” the statement partly read.
The Governor reaffirmed his commitment to reconciliation, stability and sustainable development across the state.
During the meeting, the Governor briefed the Vice President on his administration’s priority areas aimed at stabilizing Western Equatoria following years of insecurity and communal tensions.
“A key issue discussed was the ongoing management of the Mpox outbreak in the state” statement read.
According to the statement, the Governor underscored that measures were already implemented, including the isolation of confirmed cases, strengthened surveillance systems and intensified community awareness campaigns to prevent further transmission.
He emphasized the need for continued national coordination and support to reinforce health services and safeguard vulnerable populations.
The discussion also centered on agriculture as a foundation for economic stability and food security.
The Governor noted that his administration is prioritizing farming initiatives to empower communities, particularly women, through village-based development projects designed to increase production, create livelihoods and reduce dependency on humanitarian assistance.
On the humanitarian front, the Governor highlighted ongoing efforts to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), especially in Tombura and Mundri East counties, including the areas of Kediba and Minga.
Meanwhile, Vice President Lagu commended the Governor’s holistic approach, describing it as timely and aligned with national priorities for service delivery and recovery.
She pledged her support and that of the Service Cluster to ensure effective implementation of the outlined programs for the benefit of the people of Western Equatoria.
According to the statement, both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to peace, improved service delivery and long-term prosperity for the citizens of Western Equatoria State.