Women selling at Malakal market complain about liquidity shortage|By Obaj Okuj

As the Christmas season approaches, women in Malakal, Upper Nile State, say there is little to celebrate.

Instead of joy, many describe a season marked by deep economic hardship, and an urgent desire for lasting peace and systemic change in South Sudan.

Mothers say they are bearing a disproportionate burden of the country’s prolonged instability, raising children only to lose them to persistent violence. The trauma, they say, has become overwhelming, prompting desperate pleas for an end to the killings and for divine intervention.

“We women are the ones who are suffering,” said Merry William, a resident of Malakal.

“We bring children into this world, but there is no truth and no peace. Sometimes it feels better not to give birth at all than to bring a child into this world only to lose them. Every time there is death. Until when are we going to have peace? We need to pray to God so that people will stop dying in South Sudan.”

Beyond personal loss, the women point to tribalism as a major driver of ongoing suffering. They describe it as a “poison” that has spread from political leaders down to ordinary citizens, fueling local conflicts that prevent communities from farming and directly contribute to hunger.

Rebecca Nya Hakim, who works in Malakal market, said poverty and insecurity have trapped many residents in place.

“We are very poor. We have no means to travel anywhere,” she said. “My biggest problem is tribal fighting. One tribe should not fight another. Each tribe should stay in its place and farm so there will be no hunger.”

She added that while leaders may have officially made peace, ordinary people are still paying the price

 “I heard that people in power started the fight, and now they have made peace, but small people have adopted the conflict on their behalf. Tribalism must be removed from children so that we can live differently.”

The festive season has also arrived amid a severe cash shortage in Malakal. Market traders and parents say there is no liquidity, leaving families unable to afford even basic necessities, including Christmas clothes for their children.

“My message to the government is that no one in Malakal can afford Christmas clothes for their kids because there is no money,” said Nyan Aleu Lual.

“The situation in Malakal is very bad. If possible, the government should allocate funds to the states so people can receive their salaries and children can celebrate the festive season in peace.”

As Christmas nears, the women of Malakal are calling not for gifts, but for peace, economic relief, and an end to tribal divisions—hoping that future festive seasons will bring genuine reasons to celebrate.