South Sudan’s governor in Yei River State, David Lokonga Moses, has assured Christians in the state of adequate security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. In his Christmas message, he told religious leaders to organize usual prayer services in their respective churches.
(Left) Yei Governor David Lokonga Moses, speaking at Yei Freedom Corner earlier. He wished South Sudanese a happy and peaceful celebration of Christmas and New Year.
“All my people in the town of Yei let all of us prepare our prayers in the same churches. For our prayers in Yei will be in peace,” he told journalists in his office on Wednesday. “As a government, I vowed that we don’t want war, which can put our civilians in suffering.”
Lokonga mentioned that religious leaders should remind displaced residents to return to their homes and prepare for Christmas, saying the government was in full control of the security situation in the area. He also called on armed opposition groups to reject violence and allow Christians to enjoy the festive season in peace and harmony.
“We don’t want fighting. To those who have taken arms, we are brothers, and we need to celebrate the birth of the Lord in a very good way without trouble,” Lokonga stated.
For two weeks now, relative calm has returned to Yei town following insecurity and uncertainties since last July because of clashes between forces of President Salva Kiir and his former deputy Riek Machar in Juba.
Residents told TCT that the security situation has improved in the town and activities have gone back to normal. This is so different from the past when thousands of residents in Yei were displaced from their homes while others fled to neighboring countries for refuge.
“In these two weeks, at least we are sleeping and breathing well. I’m also saying to the government to help us to see that this peace does prevail and to see that the remaining people in Yei stay and do not move away,” said Modo, one of the residents.
Adams, another resident, commented that the next step she expects is the need for dialogue to take place between the government and armed opposition through third-party mediation. The Church and traditional leaders have been given the green light as third parties to negotiate with armed opposition groups for an amicable resolution of the conflict.
Meanwhile, Governor Lokonga mentioned that the arrival of forces to Yei town should not scare civilians because their mission is to offer protection of lives and property.
“If you have seen the soldiers coming to Yei, they are soldiers of peace. They are coming in order to see that the town of Yei is in peace. They have come to ensure that people move freely, and there is no need to fear,” he said in his Christmas message.