Women mark International Day of Peace in the Malakal PoC site in 2016. (Photo: UNMISS).

Some Internally Displaced Persons at Malakal protection of civilians site are calling on President Salva Kiir to restore lasting peace in Upper Nile State.

They made the call ahead of the upcoming honoring ceremony of the president by the King of Chollo on February 25, 2023.

According to the IDPs, the government must create a conducive environment for them to return home and rebuild their lives.

They were displaced from Malakal town and the surrounding areas during the civil war that started in 2013, and have not been able to leave the camp due to persistent security in the state.

The displaced population are now calling on President Kiir to expedite the implementation of the extended peace process due to end in December 2024.

They spoke to Eye Radio from Malakal PoC this morning.

“All of us as Chollo sons and daughters, are happy that this event must take place on time. We are in the camps here because of the conflict, and we are here to save our lives and our aim now is peace should prevail first in the country,” said one of the IDPs.

“Our message is that, if peace is there we don’t have a problem we will get out from this camp, because Malakal is not like before and now it becomes desert.”

“My message to our fellow brothers and sisters here at the PoC , if there’s peace outside there, we can go and stay there, and this will happen if these problems that brought us in the PoC are solved probably through the right channel,” said another.

“For me, I can say that the president is the president of the country, and any person in the republic of South Sudan has a right to honor the president of the republic.”

“Since 2013, we are here at the PoC of Malakal because of the insecurity that we have in South Sudan, so this insecurity till today, doesn’t have a solution and we have to go back to the president so that we can get its solution.”

“Therefore God can touch his heart for us to get peace and security in South Sudan.”

Last week, the King of Chollo called on the public to join the planned celebration to honor President Salva Kiir for his efforts to bring peace to the country, including in the kingdom.

His Majesty Räth Kwongo Dak Padiet said the event slated for February 25, this week at the Dr. John Garang Mausoleum, is about reconciliation, healing, peace, and social harmony among the people of South Sudan.

The event to be held under the theme; ‘Peace and Stability in the Chollo Kingdom’, reportedly aims to encourage the displaced persons to return to their homes.