Willy Angok Ngor, Former Amiol Youth Chairperson-Photo|Courtesy

A former youth leader in Twic County of Warrap State has challenged politicians seeking support ahead of South Sudan’s anticipated elections to focus on delivering basic services rather than distributing campaign materials.

Willy Angok Ngor, the former chairperson of Amiol Gemdit Youth, said communities are increasingly looking beyond political slogans and party symbols and want leaders who can address their everyday needs.

Speaking during a community gathering, Angok said voters should support candidates based on their ability to improve living conditions and tackle long-standing development challenges.

“I have heard that the Vice President is coming to campaign. To you women, let me say this: our campaign as the Twic community this time is not about merely shouting ‘SPLM Oyee!’ No. Our ‘Oyee’ is for whoever will stock our hospitals with medicines,” he said.

Angok said residents are demanding better healthcare, improved schools, access to electricity and roads that connect communities across the county.

“Our ‘Oyee’ is for whoever will revive our schools, equip them properly, and provide electricity, something our people have lacked since 1993. Our ‘Oyee’ is for whoever will connect our communities through roads linking Wunrok to Ajak Kuach, Toch Ajuath, and Toch Achel,” he added.

His remarks come as political parties intensify preparations for elections, with leaders expected to embark on campaigns aimed at mobilizing support across the country.

Angok also questioned the assumption that crowds wearing party-branded clothing necessarily reflect genuine political support, arguing that economic hardship has made campaign giveaways attractive to many citizens.

“If the campaign is only about distributing red T-shirts and red caps, then that is not our ‘Oyee’,” he said.

“When you see crowds wearing SPLM red T-shirts, it does not necessarily mean they love the SPLM. These days, many people cannot afford to buy clothes, so they take such opportunities to get something to wear.”

He added that many people accept campaign materials for practical reasons rather than political loyalty.

“The country is experiencing intense heat. If someone gives you a red SPLM cap, you might as well take it, not because of politics, but simply to protect your head from the scorching sun,” Angok said.

He said that if Vice President Hussein Abdelbagi visits the area, community members intend to raise concerns about the lack of medicines in hospitals, shortages of learning materials in schools and poor road infrastructure.

“Our Oyee is our hospital without medicine, it is the schools without materials and impassable roads,” he said.