Local Voices: Yei Residents Renew Calls for Peace to Boost Trade and Development

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents across both urban and rural Payams of Yei River County are calling on the government and armed opposition groups to prioritize dialogue and peaceful resolutions to end ongoing civilian suffering.

Yei River County, located southwest of Juba City, has experienced recurring insecurity, including reports of abductions targeting humanitarian workers and civilians over the past months. Community members say the persistent instability continues to disrupt livelihoods and limit economic growth.

Residents believe that lasting peace would enable them to rebuild their homes, restore livelihoods and revive agricultural production, which remains the backbone of the local economy.

Alison Taban, a resident of Yei Town Payam, emphasized that peace is critical to addressing food insecurity and boosting agribusiness.

“Yei’s economy largely depends on agriculture. If there is peace, we can focus on food production and sell our produce to markets in Juba, other states and even the wider region. But to achieve this, we need stability,” he said.

Taban urged both the government and armed groups to engage in open dialogue and take concrete steps towards restoring peace in the county.

Similarly, Monika Kiden from Mugwo Payam highlighted the role of peace in promoting healing and reconciliation among communities.

“If there are issues, people should sit down and talk to resolve them. That way, we can safely return to our farms and engage in large-scale food production for both household consumption and income generation,” she noted.

In Tore Payam, resident Malish Diodone pointed out that insecurity has severely limited access to essential services such as education, healthcare and clean drinking water.

“When you visit the villages, you will see people struggling without clean water, medicines, good roads, and education. We need peace so that communities can produce food and improve their livelihoods through agriculture,” he said.

Diodone added that the lack of security has also hindered humanitarian organisations from delivering much-needed services to rural areas.

Despite these concerns, the Yei River County Commissioner has repeatedly stated during community engagements that his administration remains open to peace dialogue with armed groups. He has also continued to call for peaceful coexistence, unity and collective efforts to end the suffering of civilians.