Yei Welcomes New Year in Calm Atmosphere

(YEI RIVER COUNTY) – Residents of Yei town in Central Equatoria State have reported that New Year celebrations ended peacefully, with no major criminal incidents recorded across the town. Community members described a calm atmosphere marked by social interaction and public movement, a contrast to past years affected by insecurity.

Mikaya Alfred, a resident of Sobe area, said the celebrations were characterised by joy and unity. He noted that people were able to mark the New Year without fear and thanked both residents and security personnel for maintaining order. He urged county and state authorities to prioritise peace and development throughout Yei River County in 2026, including all five payams.

Elizabeth Dut from Lomuku area also described the celebrations as peaceful, saying no incidents were reported in her neighbourhood or the wider town. She said residents moved freely from place to place from New Year’s Eve into the morning hours. Elizabeth appealed to the government to translate commitments on peace and service delivery into action, stressing the need for clean water, improved roads, electricity, and better health services in both urban and rural areas.

Sebit Taban, a resident of New Site area, said Yei has continued to experience relative calm during public events but called on authorities to strengthen security and protect civilians and their property. He added that peace would allow residents to focus on agriculture and improve access roads linking villages and neighbouring towns.

Yeka Joel, a social worker and local human rights defender, praised residents for maintaining peace during the Christmas and New Year period. He said the lack of stability in recent years had harmed livelihoods and wellbeing. According to him, conflict during 2024 and 2025 limited people’s ability to gather and practise social and cultural life, affecting morale and cohesion.

Yeka said recent gatherings at Yei Freedom Square, where residents came together peacefully, showed what can be achieved when security forces, leaders, and communities cooperate. He said peace creates space for civic life, dignity, and trust, and commended local authorities and security personnel for protecting citizens and upholding rights during the festivities. He stressed that such efforts should continue throughout the year.

As South Sudan approaches 2026, a year expected to include general elections in December, Yeka called on government institutions, security forces, political actors, civil society, and community leaders to strengthen peace and protect civic space. He said peace is essential not only for celebrations but also for credible elections, stability, and national development.

Earlier, Yei River County Commissioner Emmanuel Taban Seme told residents that the government remains committed to maintaining peace, protecting civilians and ensuring stability in the area.

Key issues raised by residents during the celebrations :

Yei River County lies about one hundred miles south west of the national capital, Juba, and is the second largest county in Central Equatoria State. It is a key commercial centre near Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo and hosts all sixty four tribes of South Sudan.

Despite its rich agricultural potential, the county has been weakened by insecurity since the conflict that began in 2016, which forced thousands of residents to flee to neighbouring countries as refugees.