OPINION: Have We Forgotten Yei and Maridi? A Call to Remember the Towns That Welcomed South Sudan

Among the many towns that have shaped the history of South Sudan, Yei and Maridi stand out as places that welcomed people from every corner of the country.

For decades, these two towns served as homes, safe havens, and centers of opportunity for thousands of South Sudanese. Yet today, it seems that many who grew up, studied, worked, or sought refuge there have grown silent about their development and future.

Almost every South Sudanese has, at one point or another, lived in or passed through Yei or Maridi. These were not ordinary towns. They were communities where people from diverse tribes, cultures, and backgrounds lived side by side in peace. In markets, schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods, no single language dominated. People related with mutual respect, and it was rare to hear insults based on tribe, origin, or identity.
The spirit of unity and coexistence was not an ideal—it was a daily reality.

Yei and Maridi possess all the characteristics needed to become some of the most developed cities in South Sudan. They are blessed with fertile soils, favorable climate, and abundant agricultural potential. The land is productive, and food grows in plenty. Anyone who has visited these towns knows they can not only sustain their local populations but also play a major role in ensuring national food security.

Many of South Sudan’s liberators, heroes, and heroines spent part of their lives in these towns. During times of hardship, Yei and Maridi opened their doors to those seeking safety, education, employment, and hope. Strangers were welcomed and treated like family.

Yet today, very few people speak about these towns or advocate for their future.

This raises an important question:
Is this how we should respond to such generosity?

After receiving hospitality, security, and opportunity, should we simply leave and never look back? Should we forget the communities that embraced us as their own?

Gratitude is a fundamental value in every society. Remembering and supporting the places that shaped us should not be optional—it should be a responsibility.

Our leaders must take meaningful action for Yei and Maridi. A significant number of South Sudan’s leaders have lived, worked, or studied in these towns. It is time to invest in their development and recognize their historical and economic importance. Improved infrastructure, better public services, strengthened agricultural support, and serious economic investment could transform these towns into major centers of growth and prosperity.

I also appeal to all South Sudanese who once called Yei or Maridi home: return, reconnect, and show appreciation to the communities that welcomed you. Development is not only the duty of government—it is also the responsibility of citizens who have benefited from these places.

If Yei and Maridi are fully opened up, connected by secure and reliable roads to Juba, and supported through intentional investment, they could become engines of economic transformation. Their agricultural potential is vast. With peace, security, and proper infrastructure, they could help combat hunger and strengthen food production across the country—and even beyond its borders.

The story of Yei and Maridi is not just about two towns. It is a story of hospitality, unity, resilience, and opportunity.

These communities gave much to South Sudan. The question now is whether South Sudanese are willing to remember that contribution—and invest in their future.

The time has come to give Yei and Maridi the attention, appreciation, and development they truly deserve.

About the Author: Gista Yaban is a Prominent South Sudanese Comedian and Content Creator.

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