Members of the public speak to Eye Radio's Dawn Show. January 2, 2025. (Photo: Lou Nelson/Eye Radio).

Some South Sudanese citizens in Juba have expressed optimism for peace and encourages the government to initiate development and better service delivery in the new year 2025.

They pointed out that South Sudanese have endured significant challenges over the years with resilience and enduring hope for a better future.

The citizens believe peace and development is collective desire to move forward and build a better South Sudan.

Speaking on Eye Radio’s Dawn Show, Mama Mariah said the new year should signal the beginning of improved governance, security, infrastructure, and socioeconomic growth.

“This country shouldn’t depend on food from outside the country. Let me now sincerely say that road of Yei, Morobo, and Kaya is supposed to bring all the good food to our people,” he said.

“This is a healthy food without sicknesses such as diabetes and blood pressure because all these sicknesses are due to the bad food that we are eating.”

“We need security in South Sudan, even these areas of Yambio and Maridi, and I am sure that we will get food from there, and also that road of Yei to Uganda deserved to be constructed.”

On his part, Sultan Joseph emphasized the need for national cohesion, dialogue, and collective work toward sustainable development in the country.

“A big country with oil and a lot of resources, and people can stay one year without salaries and why? Let the government do something for our people, and we are not against them because they are brother and sons and we want our rights,” he asked.

“This year 2025, let brothers and sisters in the different organized forces get their salaries and teachers at the universities and we cannot suffer like this, we must eat and cultivate and do development.”

On his part, Batista Armani called for the development of infrastructure services like roads linking the capital with states to boost internal trade.

“I wish that the reminder projects of the government such as bridges and roads and development be implemented during this year, so that if you’re going to Wau, Bor, and Malakal, you can move freely.”

“Also this is to decongest the capital city and stop people from migrating from the state to the capital. Because if there’s development, this migration will not happen.”