Let’s reflect on 2021 and build a better year
The curtain is falling on 2021 and in a matter of days, we will be ushering in a brand-new year with redeemed hopes and drive to achieve better milestones.
It is a resounding agreement that South Sudanese may have celebrated a better Christmas than many others in the past. Although there was a last-minute COVID-19 scare leading to revert to the lockdown courtesy of a directive by the National COVID-19 Taskforce, the overall situation in the country over the festive period had been encouraging.
The Central Equatoria State Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony acknowledged this in his speech when he said it was a better Christmas, but the celebration should not eclipse the vigilance. Adil said the country, particularly some areas in CES, are still experiencing intermittent insecurity concerns.
“Fellow Christians, although this year’s Christmas celebration will be under relative peace, the country is still recovering from the effects of conflicts. Let us be mindful of the fact that Central Equatoria State is still faced with some challenges of insecurity as a result of the holdout group,’’ he stated in his speech.
This message of peace and tranquillity further received amplification from President Salva Kiir who recognised that the country was still in the healing phase. President Kiir also warned against an attack on aid workers, saying his administration would soon apprehend the lawbreakers and deal with them firmly.
‘‘We all need to support peace by shunning violence in all its forms and by choosing peaceful means to address our grievances whenever they arise. We ought to demonstrate care towards those who serve in our communities, especially in remote locations, whether they are government administrators or humanitarian workers,’’ the President noted.
Time to reflect
As we plan to end this year on a positive note, perhaps it is time that we reflect on the challenges of 2021 and figure out the befitting remedies that will steer the country forward.
South Sudan had insecurity concerns in certain patches of the country. For instance, Tombura Country in Western Equatoria State became a feeding pot for many media houses as intercommunal conflicts rose above imaginable levels. Even though normalcy is returning to what used to be a peaceful place, the agony inflicted by deaths, displacement and torture still lurk in it. Other places such as Tonj, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Central Equatoria State and many others also had similar concerns. On the list of insecurity was the ambush on travellers and humanitarian workers, who were mostly attacked by malicious people targeting them for their selfish interests. These have to be fixed.
The next challenge that the country grappled with and must address going forward is flooding. As of now, there are still citizens squatting in the camps after their residences were swept away by floods and livelihood interrupted. Going into next year, the government and other concerned humanitarian organisations must think of sustainable remedial action.
In addition, the country faced lots of challenges in paying the civil servants and members of the organised forces. This is a problem that partly contributed to the removal of the minister of finance and planning. This will have to be addressed.
