Head of state welcomed back to country after ten-days absence on official visit to UAE, as he moves into a public booming with optimism, expectations ahead of the country’s 14^th indepedence

By Emmanuel Mandella

President Salva Kiir yesterday (on Wednesday) returned to Juba following a 10-day official visit to the United Arab Emirates, walking into a country booming with expectations and hope, but with many developments having taken place in his absence that could tap his attention, just moments to the country’s 14th Independence Day.

His return has ignited a wave of public and institutional appeals urging for attention.

While the head of state was abroad, a convention of traditional leaders in Juba came up with various resolutions, including forming a committee to meet President Kiir and Dr. Machar.

In a meeting organized by the UN Mission Political Affairs Division and the Ministry of Peacebuilding in Juba yesterday, the Council of Traditional Leaders in South Sudan outlined nine key resolutions aimed at promoting peace and stability in the country.  

The forum, themed: “Harnessing the Roles of Traditional Leaders in Enhancing Political Dialogue and Social Cohesion in South Sudan”, and chaired by Prince Tadio Mario Sasa, the Prime Minister of the Azande Kingdom and Head of the Steering Committee of the National Council of Traditional Authority Leaders, underlined the need for reconciliation and peace in the country.

On the same vein, the African Union appointed a new Special Representative for South Sudan, who, it said, would help steer the country along its peace process. The appointee, former Prime Minister of Somalia, Dr. Abdiweli Mohamed Ali Gaas is set to undertake AU’s key agenda for South Sudan, a country yearning for peace and progressive stabiity.

Public propose urgent tasks

Observers say President Kiir’s return comes at a pivotal moment, when some critical issues await his intervention. Key among them is the reopening of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly, which has been closed for close to six months. Then there’s the call for inclusive dialogue with various leaders including Dr. Riek Machar, who is currently under house arrest and on delivering a momentous speech at the independence anniversary day.

Civil society member, Edmund Yakani, welcomed president Kiir’s return, but with an appeal to action.

“Your Excellency, I respectfully welcome you back but with urgency. The citizens are eager to see progress on peace, protection of children, human rights laws, and election preparedness,” Yakani said in a statement.

He urged the president to prioritize long-pending legislative bills, including the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bill and the Gender-Based Violence Bill, the Family Law Bill.

Yakani also spotlighted South Sudan’s Action Plan for the Protection of Children in Armed Conflict, calling on Kiir to recommit to the demobilization and reintegration of child soldiers.

With national elections set for December 2026, Yakani warned that time is running out to create a credible electoral roadmap.

He called for a public national electoral calendar, funding for the National Elections Commission, legal clarity on the National Elections Act 2023, progress on the constitutional review and population census and genuine commitment to unifying forces to guarantee electoral security

“Elections must not become another crisis. We need consensus, not confrontation,” Yakani emphasized.

In a major proposal, Yakani called on the president to support a third round of the Kurat Joint Inter-Church Outreach (KJICO 3) a homegrown peace initiative led by religious leaders.

“We remember when Your Excellency resolved the state number crisis by restoring 10 states. That wisdom is needed again. Let KJICO 3 be a platform for healing,” Yakani urged.

The proposed initiative would bring together religious and political leaders to foster unity, national dialogue, and conflict resolution at the grassroots level.

With Independence Day approaching (on July 9), the public is hopeful that the presidential address will be filled with clarity, vision, and resolve.

Yakani called on the president to use the opportunity to commit to inclusive electoral dialogue, announce support for KJICO 3 and national reconciliation and empower traditional and religious institutions in peace building.

“South Sudan needs a leadership voice that not only reassures but also unites. This is the moment,” Yakani concluded.

As the countdown to Independence Day begins, citizens across South Sudan are watching closely hoping their president will not only return, but continue walking them through a dream turned to reality.