Kins of martyrs cry out for help
The children of the martyrs in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State are demanding the compensation of their parents who died in the struggle for independence.
“We are advocating the stipulations of psychosocial counselling, emotional support, and empowerment,” said Apiu Anyit Anyit.
Anyit spoke on behalf of the kins of freedom fighters who are now demanding recognition from the government.
They spoke in Aweil on Saturday during the celebration of Martyrs’ Day.
Anyit also wants the government to address societal issues like orphanhood, disability, street children and child soldiers.
She said they should be compensated through the construction of schools, hospitals, and roads.
Anyit stressed that most of them did not have a chance to fully participate in the country’s social, economic, and political construction because they lack access to education.
“As children of heroes and heroines, we need to inclusively participate fully in the social, economic and political reconstruction of our country.
‘‘This requires us to benefit from civic and formal education, literacy programmers, vocational training and support for small business ventures which is the basic need we are demanding from our government,” she remarked.
Anyit added that it was a perfect opportunity to remind the decision-makers that the children of the martyrs are demanding compensation for the loss of their parents in the form of service delivery.
She stressed that the offspring of heroes and heroines depend on the government to uphold security and provide peace to the nation.
She emphasised the need to safeguard orphans’ rights to property ownership and inheritance through national legislation.
She underpinned the importance of honouring the voices of heroes’ children and giving them a chance to speak, like at this first unique celebration at NBG.
“We felt valued and grateful for the sacrifices done by our fathers because of the state of their battles and hardships in bringing us to this lovely motherland,” Anyit stressed.
Northern Bahr El Ghazal State Governor Tong Akeen Ngor, as well as other top authorities and members of the public, attended the Martyrs’ Day Commemoration at Aweil Town. 1,000 people showed up.
While addressing the crowd at the memorial, Governor Ngor expressed his support for the families of the heroes and heroines who lost their lives while fighting for the country’s freedom.
He said his government is doing everything it can to provide services to every resident of the state and the entire nation.
The Governor pledged to assist the initiatives for Martyrs’ Widows by making a monthly government donation of SSP1 million.
