By James Innocent
South Sudan’s Vice President for Economic Cluster, Dr. James Wani Igga, has called for lasting peace in Yei River County.
He urged armed groups to lay down their weapons and support dialogue, reconciliation, and development.
Speaking during his visit to Yei, Dr. Igga said the people of the area had endured years of conflict and should now be allowed to pursue peace and economic development.
“The blood people have shed is enough,” Igga said, arguing that violence cannot deliver meaningful development for communities endowed with fertile land and natural resources.
He urged armed groups to respect civilians, particularly women, whom he said had suffered for decades as a result of conflict.
Igga also appealed to citizens to support peaceful political processes, saying South Sudan’s people should be allowed to choose their leaders through elections.
The vice president cited the killing of engineers during the construction of the Kendila Bridge as an example of how insecurity can undermine development projects.
He questioned how infrastructure and other development programs could succeed when workers involved in such projects remain exposed to attacks.
Igga said some parts of South Sudan still lack basic services, including schools, because of years of conflict. He urged communities not to allow themselves to be divided by violence and called for greater focus on rebuilding the country.
He also highlighted Yei’s historical significance, saying the area was among the places used for military training in Sudan in the early 1960s, during the period associated with Joseph Lagu.
According to Igga, the government has pursued dialogue and reconciliation as part of efforts to create conditions for lasting peace.
He described the people of Yei as hardworking agricultural communities with the potential to contribute significantly to South Sudan’s economy.
Igga also said many South Sudanese living in refugee settlements in neighbouring Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo would like to return home if security and stability improve.
His remarks come amid continuing calls from communities and authorities for peace, security, and improved infrastructure in Yei River County.
The vice president urged all sides to prioritise civilian protection, reconciliation, and development, saying sustainable progress would remain difficult without peace.