By Suzan Peter Mabuong

For years, war and hardship pushed many South Sudanese men and women to leave their homeland in search of safety, education, and opportunity. Some ended up in refugee camps, others built new lives in places like the United States, Canada, Australia, European countries, Kenya, and Uganda. But now, many of these people are coming back, returning home not just with their hearts, but with skills, knowledge, and a burning desire to rebuild their nation.

Their return is more than just a homecoming. It is a quiet revolution. These returnees are bringing with them the strength of experience, global exposure, and a deep love for South Sudan. They are helping their communities heal from the past, and they are laying bricks for a stronger tomorrow, spiritually, socially, economically, and politically.

One powerful example is Professor John Akec, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Juba. Many call him “a leader who comes once in a generation,” for his courage to speak truth to power, his commitment to education, and his vision for a better South Sudan.

“Education is the most important tool for rebuilding our country,” Prof. Akec says. “It is not enough to have peace on paper; we need to develop the minds of our people.”

He himself spent years abroad, gaining advanced education and experience before returning home. Under his leadership, the University of Juba has grown in reputation and size, becoming a place where young South Sudanese are taught not just academic knowledge but critical thinking, responsibility, and civic duty.

Malek, a student in University of Juba, says of him: “Professor Akec was a leader who comes once in a generation. He was not afraid to challenge the government if it meant protecting the university or standing for the truth. He inspired us to believe that South Sudan can change if we work hard and stay honest.”

Prof. Akec also encourages students to think about entrepreneurship and national development. “We cannot rely on oil forever. We must diversify. We must support agriculture, technology, and industry. That is what education is for,” he explains.

Returnees like Prof. Akec are shaping every sector, education, health, business, agriculture, media, and leadership.

Mary, a former refugee in Uganda, returned in 2022 and started a farming project. “I saw how people in Uganda used small land to feed big families. I brought that knowledge here,” she says. She grows vegetables and sells them at local markets. “We don’t want to wait for handouts. We want to stand on our own feet,” Mary adds.

But the journey home is not easy. Many returnees face challenges of lack of electricity, poor roads, and in some places, insecurity. Yet, their determination is greater than the obstacles. What fuels their courage is a strong spiritual belief that they are called to be part of South Sudan’s restoration.

Mangok Mangok Mayen, a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership and a well-respected community leader, believes the return of South Sudanese from the diaspora is vital for healing and progress. After spending many years in the United States, he returned with a clear mission: to help strengthen community structures and leadership capacity.

“We learned so much while living abroad, not just formal education, but how communities organize, how leaders serve, how people respect each other and the law,” he says. “We need to bring those values home, not to erase who we are, but to enrich and strengthen our traditions.”

Mangok works closely with youth groups, churches, and local leaders to promote peaceful coexistence, leadership training, and conflict resolution. “Our biggest problem is not just poverty. It’s mistrust, division, and weak institutions,” he explains. “Returnees have seen other ways of solving problems. We have to share those lessons. It’s our duty.”

The impact is also political. Returnees are beginning to enter public service, bringing new ideas and demanding transparency. Some are running for local office; others are serving as advisors or community advocates. Their presence challenges the status quo, but it also offers hope that change is possible.

Diana Nyankol, a young woman who returned from Australia, now working in Juba. “In Australia, I learned about gender equity and youth participation. I returned because I want to help build a South Sudan where every girl can dream, and every child is protected,” she says. Diana is passionate about helping teenage girls to stay in school and resist early marriage. “Empowering girls is one of the ways we build a better nation,” she says.

Some South Sudanese in the diaspora are watching with hope and determination to join in rebuilding their homeland. “I’m deeply inspired by what so many of my brothers and sisters are doing back home,” says Adeng Kuel Maluil, a young girl living in the United States. “One day I want to return to South Sudan to help build our nation. I dream of supporting education, empowering young people, and being part of the change our country needs.”

The economic impact of returnees is also becoming clear. From bakeries to small factories, from carpentry workshops to microfinance groups, returnees are using their savings and experience to start businesses. These businesses are not only employing locals but also bringing back dignity to communities that have long depended on aid.

Even culturally, returnees are enriching the nation. They bring new ideas, but also deep respect for South Sudanese traditions. Music, poetry, and storytelling are being used to bridge the old and the new to build identity and unity.

However, to truly harness the potential of returnees, the government and society must create more welcoming conditions. This includes providing office spaces for returnee organizations, investing in basic infrastructure, and giving returnees a voice in national conversations.

“Coming back is not a one-person effort,” says Suzan Peter Mabuong, a returnee and community leader. “It requires national support and vision. We need policies that make reintegration easier. Returnees are not guests. This is their home.”

And home, indeed, is calling.

Every returnee is a symbol of resilience, a sign that South Sudan’s story is not over. They are proof that despite all the pain and setbacks, there is still hope. There is still love. And there is still a future worth fighting for.

South Sudan’s healing will take time. But with every professor who trains young minds, every teacher who starts a school, every farmer who tills the land, and every leader who chooses integrity over power, the country moves one step closer to peace and progress.

The returnees are not just back, they are rebuilding. And in their hands, South Sudan is being born again.

Short biography:

Suzan Peter Mabuong is a weekly columnist with ‘The City Review’ on social impact. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Organizational Leadership at Grand Canyon University. Having lived in Canada and the United States for more than two decades before returning to South Sudan, Suzan brings a unique perspective that goes beyond the surface to explore the real stories shaping the nation. Suzan stands firm on the promises of God’s protection: “The Lord will keep you from all harm, He will watch over your life” (Psalm 121:7). Contact Suzan at: beyondtheheadlines.ssd@gmail.com