Speaking to participants at the workshop, Anibiapai explained that without a unified army under one command, peace and security would remain elusive

By Emmanuel Mandella

During a two-day workshop on the constitution-making process in Yambio, Lotto Anibiapai, a representative of the Prime Minister of the Azande Kingdom stressed on the urgent need for the unification of South Sudan’s military as a critical measure to improve the nation’s security and stability. Speaking to participants at the workshop, Anibiapai explained that without a unified army under one command, peace and security would remain elusive.

“The soldiers still languishing in containment sites must be trained and unified under a single leadership,” Anibiapai said. “We cannot have one country with different forces under separate commands. Immediate unification and deployment are essential for us to have one national military that serves and protects the entire nation.”

This call for military unification comes amid ongoing efforts to establish a permanent constitution for South Sudan, a process seen as vital to guiding the country toward peace after years of conflict. The workshop in Yambio, attended by members of the Azande Kingdom and other local leaders, focused on key issues, including the constitutional process and the role of the military in securing the nation’s future.

Anibiapai underscored the national army’s role in stabilizing South Sudan’s security sector, particularly in ensuring that peace is maintained across all regions.

He stated that without a cohesive and unified force, the country risks further fragmentation and insecurity. “A unified army is not just a matter of military discipline. It is about the survival of our nation. Only a single, integrated national force can provide the security necessary for lasting peace,” he added.

The representative also addressed other pressing national issues, including the plight of civil servants who have gone for nearly a year without pay, adding that delay in addressing the matter is contributing to instability in the nation.

“How can our civil servant’s function or express their opinions freely when they are struggling to feed their families?” he asked. “They are human too, and this neglect must end.”

In addition to his comments on the military and civil service, Anibiapai touched on agriculture, urging people in the kingdom to return to farming. “As we leave here, the message is clear: everyone must cultivate and ensure there’s enough produce, both for personal consumption and for the market,” he said.

Reflecting on the broader constitutional process, Anibiapai emphasized that it should not be viewed through a political lens but approached as a collective national effort.

“We must not let political parties dominate this process. We are all citizens of this country, and we must work for its collective good,” he stated.

As South Sudan prepares for the two-year extension granted by the Presidency, the representative expressed hope that this would be sufficient time to resolve critical issues, including the repatriation of refugees. “Without the return of our people from refugee camps, peace will remain incomplete,” Anibiapai said.

Closing his address, Anibiapai, who also serves as the kingdom’s culture minister, invited all tribes in Western Equatoria to contribute their cultural practices to the kingdom’s constitution. “Our culture must be reflected in this important document. I invite all Azande and other tribes to share their cultural aspects with my office,” he urged.

As South Sudan continues its journey toward peace, the call for a unified military stands as a fundamental step in building a secure and stable future for the country.

“We must not let political parties dominate this process. We are all citizens of this country, and we must work for its collective good,” Lotto Anibiapai, a representative of the Prime Minister of the Azande Kingdom.