Map indicating the three states of the Greater Equatoria Region. |Courtesy photo|
As the people around the world commemorate the International Women’s Day, a group identifying itself as the ‘daughters of heroes’ today, 8 March 2025, delivered a statement calling for unity of purpose amid the rising spate in the hate speeches spread through the social media, which it says, destroying the social fabric and diverse cultural values of the people of South Sudan.
The group salutes the gallant freedom fighters (past and present) of the historical liberation wars for the Republic of South Sudan, which started in Torit in 1955.
It honors the resilience of the women and girls from South Sudan for their invaluable contributions during the wars of liberation and their continued efforts for peace, security, stability, equity and equality, and expressed strong commitment to preserve historical truths, reconciliation, healing, and upholding the rule of law and justice for all.
The group expresses grievances over falsification and fabrication of the historical records and affirms that the liberation wars in South Sudan were fought and won on various fronts by men and women from all walks of life, from within and externally.
“South Sudan cannot afford declarations by some ethnic groups that they are the only ones who fought the liberation wars from brutal, oppressive, and unjust governments when the country was one Sudan,” it said.
“Without the full involvement of the Greater Equatoria Region (ESS, Central Equatoria State (CES), and Western Equatoria State (WES), the SPLA/M liberation war would have collapsed. The persistent historical negationism since the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, 2005, and South Sudan’s independence in 2011, has proliferated hatred and deep divisions in the country.”
According to The Daughters of Heroes group, the conflict between the cattle herders and farmers in Magwi and Torit counties, of Eastern Equatoria State, caused disunity, hatred, and the loss of life, property, and mass displacement of the indigenous people from their homes.
The state government and impacted communities have repeatedly called for investigations of the heinous crimes, provision of humanitarian aid, and demand the cattle herders to vacate Eastern Equatoria State.
On Thursday, the Chairperson of Acholi Community, David Otim Okot, met the Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, Gen. Thoi Chany Reath, and expressed the plight of the people displaced from their homes by the spate of conflict between armed cattle keepers and farmers in Magwi County.
The two officials explored ways to resettle the displaced persons to their homes as the rainy season approaches.
In 2015, South Sudanese president Salva Kiir ordered the return of cattle keepers in Central and Western Equatoria states to their home areas following concerns from agricultural farmers in both states over the destruction of crops by cattle.
The Chief of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), Gen. Paul Nang, reinforced the order, instructing all cattle herders from Jonglei State, currently in Eastern Equatoria State, to return to their home area.
Gen. Nang directed the army to escort the Jonglei pastoralists from Eastern Equatoria State, to their areas of origin to end the cycle of violence.
The group said the freedom of movement and residence has limitations, especially when a person or community incites public disorder, practices cultures of violence that have the potential to elicit ethnocide and genocide.
“Nation branding and historical negationism – distorting, misinforming, and erasing the recognition and contributions by the Greater Equatoria Region and many South Sudan communities is one of the root causes of violent conflicts and wars in the country,” it added.
“It is crucial to implement the revitalised peace agreement,” it said, “Additionally, denounce historical negationism about the wars of liberation and nation branding by one ethnic community – nation. Condemn land grabbing, forced settlements, occupation, and the invasion of the lands in Greater Equatoria and other states of the country going through the same imposed situation.”
