South Sudanese are united to defend their waters against internal, external threats, official

JUBA – South Sudanese citizens are united to defend their waters against internal and external threats, says Akoc Akuei, Chairperson of the Committee tasked to spearhead public consultation on the Nile water management.

“I have seen that the people of South Sudan have united to defend their waters against internal and external threats, underscoring that the White Nile, including its tributaries, is the lifeline of the people of South Sudan,” Akuei said during the opening of Public Consultation on the Nile Water in Juba on Sunday.

Akuei advised the citizens to participate effectively in the five-day forum and express their views in a manner that is constructive and productive.

“The committee, therefore, invites all of us to fully participate, listen to our experts and express our views in a manner that is constructive and productive,” Akuei said.

Akuei lauded President Salva Kiir for trusting young people to lead Public Consultation on the Nile Water and Resource Management.

“I would like to take this golden opportunity to appreciate His Excellency, the President of the Republic of South Sudan, for trusting young people to lead this vital process,” he said.

“The President has given the people of South Sudan an opportunity to come together, discuss options, and help the leadership to arrive at informed decisions.”

“We hope the organization and execution of an event like this would be a signal to many good things to come to the country, where public policymaking involves give and take, with the citizens’ views at the center of it all.”

The Chairperson stressed the need for the energy of the young people to be utilized in a manner that will promote development rather than destruction.

“We aspire to live in a country where the ideas are shared and discussed faithfully without fear; a country where the energy of the young people is utilized to promote development rather than for destruction,” he said.

“A country where insecurity, suspicion, and mistrust against each other cease to exist. We can agree that President Salva Kiir Mayardit has already opened the way and trusted the youth of the Republic of South Sudan to lead the way for this momentous public dialogue on the future of the White Nile and its tributaries.”