The civil war that broke out in 1983 in Sudan between the North and South was due to the Islamisation and political marginalisation of the South by the Khartoum regime.

The war led to the loss of 2.5 million lives, and thousands of civilians were displaced and scattered almost everywhere around the world. The war caused widespread famine and some diseases that threatened human lives.

The SPLA was then formed to fight against the government in Khartoum. This enabled many South Sudanese to offer their lives, souls for the freedom of the citizens by joining Dr. John Garang, Cdr. Kerubino Kuany, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, and Dr. Riek Machar and many other liberators.

Thousands of the citizens decided to escape and join soldiers for solidarity that yielded independence.

This is what leads to the conclusion that South Sudanese were committed and well-organised in fighting the war with one heart. It was the moment that they did not have much global support.

I used to hear that there was war but I did not know about the caused it completely in my life for I was only a kid. The war was the consistent talk of the village and I remember my father being part of the fighters who struggled against the retrogressive regime of Khartoum.

I remember government soldiers capturing a small town called Luonyaker locally known as Apuk Giir next to our home area We were then taken to the bush to hide from the danger, most importantly from booms by the Antonov that Arabs used to kill the people. However, we were safe from all the dangers at that point, it’s one of the wars that I have experienced.

We gained independence from Khartoum 11 years back, and I thought the war had ended. Understandably, during the struggle, the people were fighting for their rights and that is why their death was a sacrifice for the country’s course.

I thought that after the country got her independence, the citizens would focus on development. They were supposed to think about what should be their approach in development.  What should be done to the orphans whose parents were killed during the struggle, as well as the widows who lost their husbands? Again, what should be done to the survivors of the war so that the coming generations live a better life in a better country with equal rights?

But to my surprise, I realised that the war has not ended because after the country got her independence, barely two years later,  conflict broke out in the country.

It seems the leaders are not interested in peace. The civilians and children are heartbroken because someone might have already lost their dear ones during the liberation struggle or after independence.

I am appealing to my leaders to solve their differences in a brotherly way. We are tired of war; we want peace, we are heartbroken.

-The writer is a concerned citizen writing to inspire change he can be reached at awilyommadut@gmail.com or via phone/WhatsApp +211921626885.