Ongoing violence and instability continue to block South Sudan’s progress, leaving development projects stalled and cultural traditions at risk, the Secretary General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), Dr. James Wani Igga said.
The former Vice President, now the ruling party’s third top leader, warned at the Pojulu cultural festival over the weekend that as long as conflict persists, the country’s economic and social growth will remain paralyzed.
“If there were durable peace, our people would celebrate their cultural festivals freely in their villages,” Igga told attendees. “But as long as war continues, don’t expect development.”
The festival, held in honor of the Pojulu community, brought together elders, youth, and cultural leaders, which Dr. Igga noted remain difficult or impossible in many regions due to violence and displacement.
“We have to make peace – it’s very important,” he said. “Let us talk to our children in the bush and convince them to come home.”
The devastating toll of war on national development is evident in stalled infrastructure projects, such as the Juba-Kaya Road, stalled as a result of constant attacks along the route, forcing engineers to abandon the scheme.
“Once the war ends, we can build the Juba-Kaya Road with tarmac as a reward to communities that participated in the liberation struggle,” Igga pledged.
The Juba-Kaya Road was named after South Sudanese liberation icon Aggrey Jaden, but its stoppage has deprived communities in Central Equatoria State of essential transportation access.
Beyond infrastructure, Dr. Igga emphasized the need to protect South Sudan’s cultural identity, calling for urgent action to teach indigenous languages and traditions in schools. “Each of us played a role in the fight for independence. We must now protect our identity and pass it on to the next generation,” he said.
Dr. Igga’s remarks come as frustration mounts over the slow implementation of the 2018 peace agreement, with conflict still affecting multiple states and administrative areas. The ongoing violence continues to hamper road construction efforts, exacerbating economic hardship.
Last week, civil society activist Edmund Yakani reiterated the urgent need for infrastructure development, specifically calling for improvements to the Juba-Nimule Highway.
The plea for peace remains clear: without an end to war, South Sudan cannot advance. Dr. Igga’s call to action challenges leaders, communities, and fighters alike to recognize that the path to development and cultural survival begins with lasting peace.
