Nyakuma Peter, Executive Director of Together South Sudan. | Photo: Courtesy.

A civil Society Activist says security reform is a crucial step in creating a conducive environment for the return of South Sudanese citizens living in refugee camps in the region.

Nyakuma Peter was commenting on the remarks of South Sudan’s Ambassador to Uganda, who appealed to his country-people to return home and invest, saying there is peace in the country.

Ambassador Juach Deng reportedly said the agriculture and industrialization sectors in South Sudan are ready for investment opportunities.

But activist Nyakuma, the Executive Director of Together South Sudan Organization refutes the presence of peace – arguing that there is no security guarantee for the refugees to return home.

“Our government needs to see into it that security is in place even in remotest parts of the country. Because you cannot produce where you will be shot in the evening and you’re dead,” she said.

“I need to feel safe in my farm, so, security itself is something that has to be insured by our government. If we are safe, we will be able to produce and then we will not be able to look outside to different countries.”

Ms. Nyakuma called for an immediate implementation of security arrangements and the transitional justice to allow all citizens to see themselves as one people.

“We only need a proper security arrangement in this country. There is also a need for transitional justice to be implemented in the agreement so that the 64 tribes of South Sudan should not see themselves as victims or enemies but see themselves as friends.”

About 2.3 million South Sudanese have been displaced to neighboring countries since the conflict began in December 2013, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Uganda is the largest South Sudanese refugee hosting country in the world, followed by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic.

UNHCR indicates that Uganda currently hosts nearly one million South Sudanese refugees, the vast majority of them women, and children.