Sir. Abunerry

South Sudan stands at a dangerous political crossroads.  The country’s long-awaited elections should represent a peaceful transition from a prolonged period of conflict and transitional rule. Instead, the current rush to organise elections—despite unresolved political, legal, security and institutional questions—risks turning the ballot box into another battlefield. The warning from the United Nations should not be dismissed as an attempt to delay democracy. The UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan has cautioned that rushing elections without essential safeguards could deepen existing conflicts and increase the risk of atrocity crimes, including crimes against humanity, war crimes and ethnic cleansing.  This is a warning that must be treated as a national emergency, not as ordinary diplomatic commentary. A dangerous contradiction. On the one hand, the President of the Republic is urging state institutions to accelerate election preparations. On the other hand, UN offic...

To Obbo, courtesy photo.  Dear Hon. Lam Francis What Happened to the Promises? I am writing to remind you of some of your promises to the people of Magwi County when you took office. One of your promises was to look into the roads connecting payams and villages across the county, which sounded sensible. We even heard about the UNDP road project to construct the Magwi–Pajok road, a vital link in the Acholi Corridor that connects the town to Juba. It was in early April when your office broadcasted the news, and now, four months later, we have yet to see any work begin. Yet the road in the picture is completely broken down. Could you please instil some trust in the public regarding your promises? Hon. Sir, we write not to condemn you, nor do we expect condemnation from you. The reasons we have witnessed the dismissal of some leaders in the country are often due to a lack of delivery, even when they have the potential to perform. I am curious you may be affected. I kindly appeal to yo...

02-08-2026 His Excellency Louis Lobong Lojore Governor, Eastern Equatoria State Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Removal of Cattle from Magwi County, Particularly the Nimule Area Your Excellency, I write to you as a concerned citizen regarding the continued presence of thousands of cattle in Magwi County, particularly in and around the Nimule area. This situation demands your urgent attention and intervention. In the recent past, government authorities, local leaders, and communities agreed that the presence of cattle in Magwi County is unacceptable. This position is consistent with the Presidential directive ordering all cattle to return to their areas of origin. Despite this clear directive, many cattle keepers, particularly from Bor, continue to disregard the order and have returned with large herds into the county. Today, thousands of cattle are moving freely in the Nimule area and occupying locations less than ten kilometres from Nimule Municipality. We are all aware of t...

The SPLM, as the mother party, is tormenting people with election excuses to redo its manifestos. Only those who were born yesterday or are yet to be born will fail to understand the messes the SPLM government has created for the citizens of South Sudan. There is a high risk that there will be elections in December. As the people prepare and the momentum gears up, everyone should ask each SPLM member who surfaces to answer serious questions that should drive them to undo the messes they created. To the people of the Greater Eastern Equatoria State, keep the following calls in your pocket and shout them louder whenever any SPLM candidate comes to deceive you. Listen to what they have to say about the past 15 years; have them answer. i. If it has failed to construct interstate and inter-county roads, which roads is it going to construct, and how? ii. Which hospitals or health facilities is it going to build if it has failed to build any in the last 15 years? iii. Which village scho...

“Why are you studying at your age?” is a question I always receive. While others intentionally discontinue their education, I had never thought of studying in my later years, except because of the circumstances I faced. I am an education enthusiast and enjoy learning new things and reading books. I have a strong ambition for my people and my country. To date, I have not reached that level because of interruptions in my education. I was forced to attend a high school where I failed to redefine my career; all that happened because of the terms and conditions of my sponsorship. Those who have grown up without fathers and have lived as refugees can attest to what I mean. All that you get on your plate is food, so you ought to eat without complaints. I do regret studying at this age, given the workload and mental strain. But I am now moving toward what I had dreamed of several years ago. I am glad that I reconnected with the chain and will surely be enmeshed in it. If you ask me, I woul...

EARLY WARNING MESSAGE.  Ezekiel 33 When business is not your partner, you will not succeed even if you have a hundred windows of grace periods to try. Star International University (SIU) is no exception. Earlier in June, I wrote an article discouraging the establishment of its Magwi campus for many reasons. Some ill-fated beneficiaries cried foul. The truth is, despite being one of the registered universities, SIU is a malfunctioning institution that is undergoing intensive care treatment. Hence, any such business should not attract loan interest, so students should not join SIU. Be wise. The collapse of the Nimule Campus is living testimony that SIU is trying educational businesses. I was among the first cohort to attempt joining the SIU Nimule Campus four years ago. I understood the struggles the university was going through right from its establishment. Recall that the university started as Busoga University in Uganda and underwent several transitions due to low-profile qualific...