Yei Leaders Call for Unity During Christmas Holidays

(YEI TOWN, YEI RIVER COUNTY) – The Commissioner of Yei River County, Emmanuel Taban Seme, has called on residents to work closely with the government to strengthen peace, unity, and stability during the Christmas season and beyond.

Speaking during Christmas celebrations in Yei River County, Central Equatoria State, Commissioner Seme urged parents to take responsibility for guiding their children away from crime and gang related activities. He said such behaviour often begins at home before spreading into the wider community.

“Parents have a key role in guiding their children,” the commissioner said. “If families play their part, our communities will be safer and more peaceful.”

He also appealed to residents to embrace unity and peaceful co existence, noting that the county remained calm throughout the Christmas celebrations. According to the commissioner, cooperation between communities and local authorities is essential for sustaining security.

Commissioner Seme further delivered goodwill messages from the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, who wished the people of Yei a peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

At the same time, the Bishop of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, Rt Rev Levi Marandulu Yopete, called on South Sudanese to commit to peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation as they marked Christmas and prepared to enter the New Year.

Speaking on Thursday morning at the ECSS Cathedral in Yei, Bishop Yopete said the future of the country depends on the actions of its citizens. He urged communities to reflect on past mistakes and seek reconciliation for the sake of lasting peace.

“The future of this country is in the hands of the people,” the bishop said. “It is important for citizens to ask for forgiveness for the wrongs committed in the past so that we can move forward together in peace.”

Bishop Yopete described forgiveness as a core Christian value and said rejecting forgiveness goes against Christian teachings. “Anyone who claims not to forgive is not living as a Christian,” he said.

He added that Christianity is founded on God’s forgiveness and encouraged believers to live by the Word of God and reconcile with one another. “Forgiveness is a sacrifice that people commit to in order to restore relationships and live together in peace,” the bishop said.

The Christmas messages from both civil and religious leaders come at a time when communities in Central Equatoria continue to seek stability after years of conflict.

Key Messages From Yei Christmas Celebrations