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Juba – Al-Wadi Newspaper
The Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Sema, reaffirmed his government’s firm commitment to achieving peace and development in the county, stressing that dialogue remains the sole and sustainable path to resolving South Sudan’s crises.
The Commissioner made these remarks while participating in the Peace Ambassadors Awards Program organized by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) under the theme “Amplifying Voices for Peace Towards a Safer and More Peaceful Greater Yei.”
In his speech during the ceremony, Commissioner Taban congratulated the local peace ambassadors for their ongoing efforts in promoting coexistence and stability, affirming that his administration will continue to support peace and reconciliation initiatives.
“I will not leave the peace ambassadors alone. Since my appointment, I have placed peace and development at the top of my priorities—not war, which brings nothing but destruction and suffering.” Taban said.
He added that peace through dialogue is the best way to build a stable future, noting that the country has lost many lives due to recurrent violence. He called on all parties to prioritize reason and national unity.
Meanwhile, Bishop Emeritus Hilary Adeba of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan commended the role of religious leaders in Yei, who continue to promote a culture of peace despite security and humanitarian challenges. Adeba said that religious leaders have been—and continue to be—a cornerstone in reconciliation efforts and in rebuilding the social fabric after years of conflict.
Adeba urged peace partners to pay greater attention to community concerns and to support grassroots dialogue initiatives, emphasizing the importance of providing sufficient resources to sustain peace activities at the community level.
For her part, Mama Hawa Adam, the women’s representative in Yei, expressed deep concern over the ongoing instability since the crises of 2013 and 2016. She said residents continue to question why the conflict persists, stressing the need to renew commitments to peace and achieve lasting stability.
Former Lainya County Commissioner Simon Lado called on the government to strengthen security efforts and curb the activities of armed groups and cattle herders in the Greater Yei area. He noted that local leaders had helped rescue more than 40 civilians who were abducted during periods of tension, emphasizing that local chiefs “are advocates of peace, not supporters of rebellion.”
During the event, James Mogo Murehiti, Head of the UNMISS Field Office in Yei, praised the resilience of community leaders and their contributions to peacebuilding since the start of the Sant’Egidio peace talks in 2016, noting that their voices “have made a tangible difference on the ground.”
UNMISS representative Njoki Kinjangui affirmed that genuine peace cannot be achieved without freedom and an open civic space. She commended the local peace teams in Yei for their continued efforts despite economic and security challenges.
“Peace goes hand in hand with freedom, and we appreciate the tireless efforts of Yei’s peace teams in building a safer future for the people of South Sudan.” She said.
