A recent wave of suicides in Juba has prompted Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) to urge the government to urgently address the country’s dire economic situation, which it says is a major contributing factor.
The call from CEPO’s Executive Director, Edmund Yakani, comes in the wake of a police report revealing that nine suicide cases have been recorded in Juba last week alone.
A particular public incident happened in Juba, Suk Sita residential area where a middle-aged man attempted to end his life by jumping from a tall building.
In a video widely circulated on social media, residents watched as the man climbed a multi-story building and jumped to the ground, although some spectators attempted to persuade the man.
It was not clear what prompted the man to take such a desperate action. The incident is just one of many unreported cases across the country.
Responding to the incident, a visibly moved Yakani attributed the rise of suicide cases to the worsening economic crisis, coupled with deep-seated trauma caused by the long civil war that has overwhelmed the country.
“I am so touched with number of Suicide in the country, the economic situation is affected our people they are in trauma,” he said. “That is why I am calling on government leaders, opposition, discontented elites please focus on our people, our economy,” he added.
The current economic climate has left many families struggling to afford even a single daily meal. Compounding the crisis is the persistent delay of salary payments for public servants, pushing families further into desperation.
He stressed that incidents like the tragic death at Suk-Sita are a result of trauma of living in a state of constant financial distress.
Yakani is now appealing to country’s leadership to shift their focus towards the well-being of the South Sudanese people and the crumbling economy.
He stated that while blame games continue among politicians, it is the ordinary citizens who are suffering the consequences of a worsening economic crisis.
With market prices soaring beyond reach of average person, the activist underscored the need for a national dialogue meant to find sustainable solutions.
He urged political leaders to set aside their differences and work collaboratively to steer the nation towards peace and economic stability, which will alleviate what he termed a “market trauma” that is tearing the nation.
