South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Waure Eddy
The citizens of Western Equatoria are urging local and national authorities to restore fundamental freedoms and enhance basic services.
Women, who are often disproportionately affected by conflict, are leading the call for change. “We, the women, suffered the most,” said Naboro Joice, a resident of Yambio, emphasising the urgent need for inclusive healing and reform.
“We need freedom of expression and better services. We suffered greatly during the conflict. Will Western Equatoria return to its former state without addressing the problems facing our communities?”
Joice stated as the people of Yambio, the capital of Western Equatoria State, gathered in large numbers to welcome back Acting Governor H.E. Daniel Badagbu Rimbasa after his two-month visit to the national capital, Juba.
The occasion, while celebratory, quickly became a powerful platform for community voices advocating for peace, better governance, and improved service delivery.
This sentiment resonated throughout the crowd, with many expressing fatigue from years of instability. Farmer Zereda Mariam voiced a common plea among local residents: “We don’t need anything from our government except peace and good security. Why is the government watching its people suffer for so long without proper intervention?”
In the bustling Masia market, local defender Suzan Ngabagida added that Western Equatoria has not been peaceful for a long time, and there is no good sleep at night.
“I appeal to our state and national government to address the root causes of our problems.”
Concerns over poor health services and two years of interrupted farming seasons intensified the community’s plea. Many residents expressed frustration that peace remains elusive and called for direct action to tackle what they describe as long-standing challenges.
H.E. Daniel Badagbu assured the public that he and his team have been working diligently with communities and leaders to calm the situation, particularly in conflict-affected areas like Tambura, Nagero, Minga, Rii-Rangu, and Nadiangere.
“Many people are still in need of humanitarian support,” he said.
Badagbu also noted that his mission includes lobbying for international assistance and attracting potential investors to drive development, support peacebuilding, and strengthen humanitarian efforts in the state.
Rimbasa acknowledged the crowd’s messages, stating he returned to Yambio with a commitment to listen and act. While his formal response is expected in the coming days, the community has made one message unmistakably clear: Western Equatoria State needs peace, not war.
