Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi Akol speaks during the honoring of General Olony by Chollo King Kwongo. | Photo: Awan Moses/Eye Radio

The Vice President for Services Cluster is calling on Upper Nile State communities to denounce hate speech and embrace one another.

Hussein Abdel Baggi Akol was speaking on Saturday June 24 at the Honoring Ceremony of General Johnson Olony by Chollo King Kwong Dak Padiet.

Agwelek leader Olony, who arrived in the capital in May 2023 after 10 years in the bush, was accorded royal honor by King Kwong – in an event attended by the Chollo people and other communities in the state.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice President Abdelbagi appealed to the five communities of Upper Nile State to reject hostilities and live together in peace.

“The most important thing we need now is permanent peace in the country, especially in Upper Nile, and not going back to war again,” he said.

“There must be stability, and in order for there to be stability, we must work on that from now on. Any talk that creates hatred among people must be stopped.”

Last month intercommunal violence erupted at the Malakal Protection of Civilians Site – leading to the death of nearly 20 people and injuring hundreds.

The fighting divided the communities – forcing a section of the displaced civilians to vacate the camp which UNMISS said should be discouraged.

“We reject hate speech and the renewal of hostilities, as well as distance ourselves from creating strife and grudges that did not exist. We are in peace, and we must express ourselves, and this is what we would like to say.”

On his part, Chollo King Kwong Dak called for Peace and reconciliation in the state among South Sudanese.

King Dak said he will initiate reconciliation starting with himself by forgiving those he has wronged and those with whom he holds grudges.

“Praise be to God; I am here today to reconcile with all the brothers,” H.M. Kwong said.

“If there is a person who has a grudge against someone, or I used to hate someone, then I announce here now that from today I open my heart to a new beginning and peace, and I say sorry for what happened.”