The Commissioner of Kajo-Keji County in South Sudan has called on displaced civilians to return home and rebuild their lives. Kajo-Keji County, located in the Central Equatoria state, has been one of the most affected areas in the country’s ongoing civil war, with thousands of civilians forced to flee their homes due to violence and instability.
Speaking during a community meeting in Kajo-Keji, Commissioner Moses Lokonga urged displaced civilians to take advantage of the relative peace in the area and return home to rebuild their lives.
“We are calling on all our people who have been displaced by the conflict to come back home and participate in the rebuilding of our communities. The security situation has improved, and we are committed to ensuring that our people are safe,” he said.
The commissioner’s call comes at a time when the South Sudanese government and opposition groups have been working towards a peaceful resolution to the country’s conflict, which has killed thousands of people and displaced millions since it began in 2013.
While there has been some progress in the peace process, many South Sudanese remain skeptical about the prospects for lasting peace, and there are concerns that violence could erupt again if the underlying issues are not addressed.
Despite the challenges, Commissioner Lokonga expressed optimism about the future of Kajo-Keji and urged civilians to work together to rebuild their communities.
“We have a long road ahead of us, but I believe that together, we can overcome the challenges and build a better future for our children,” he said.
The call to return home has been welcomed by some members of the displaced community, who have expressed a desire to rebuild their lives in their home communities.
“I am happy to hear that the commissioner is calling on us to come back home. We want to rebuild our communities and create a better future for ourselves and our families,” said Mary, a resident of Kajo-Keji who was forced to flee her home in 2016.
However, others remain cautious about returning home, citing concerns about the security situation and the lack of basic services and infrastructure.
“We want to return home, but we need assurances that we will be safe and that our basic needs will be met. We need access to healthcare, education, and other services,” said James, another displaced resident of Kajo-Keji.