Prof. Julia Duany, CEO and founder of the Gender Equity and Women Leadership Program in South Sudan - Credit: Eye Radio/Darlington Moses/April 13, 2026

A renowned academician, Professor Julia Aker Duany, has warned that South Sudan is drifting without a national philosophy, urging leaders to adopt a “four-legged” model built on stability, resource management, socioeconomic development, and compassion to rescue the country from its current crisis.

Speaking during the “Amplifying Voices of Women and Girls” program, Dr. Duany reflected on the missed opportunities since independence, noting that while other post-conflict nations like Rwanda, Namibia, and East Timor found successful paths, South Sudan has struggled to build lasting institutions.

Dr. Duany outlined a strategic framework she believes could have transformed South Sudan into the “Singapore of Africa” had it been implemented at the dawn of independence:

1. Stability: The foundation, encompassing the rule of law, peace, and democratic values.

2. Resource Management: Moving beyond “ready cash” from oil to managing gold, iron, and vast water resources.

3. Socioeconomic Development: Investing in people through schools, roads, rural development, and health.

4. A Compassionate Country: Addressing social injustices by empowering women and youth, and caring for the elderly and those with disabilities.

“We have resources, but we don’t know how to have proper management,” Dr. Duany stated. “I collected some stones near here and took them to the lab—it was 95% pure iron. We have the resources; we just need to mobilize them.”

A significant portion of Dr. Duany’s message focused on the lack of social safety nets. She criticized the absence of retirement programs for those who have spent their lives serving the nation.

“What do you do with people like Julia who are getting out of the system? You just throw me on the street,” she remarked, calling for a “compassionate country” that utilizes the wisdom of its retirees through consultancies and mentorship.

Recalling the 1970s and 80s, Dr. Duany pointed to a time when South Sudan managed its own transport companies and produced its own goods, such as oil from the Melut and Yirol mills.

“In the 70s, young people graduating from university didn’t struggle. The ministries would sit with them and organize jobs across different professions. With our small population today, no child should be left on the street. We have the potential to be the most well-equipped society in the region.”

Dr. Duany concluded by urging the Ministry of Trade and Industry to move beyond titles and focus on actual production, ensuring that the next generation of graduates has a clear path toward employment and national service.