S. Sudan’s Kiir tells citizens to prioritise national interests

January 1, 2015 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s president Salva Kiir has appealed citizens to place national interests above individual desires as the young nation craves for peace and stability.

“Let us all resolve as we celebrate the new year to place the higher interests of national unity, peace, reconciliation, forgiveness, stability and progress above all other considerations and work harder in our different ways of human endeavour to contribute more significantly to the attainment of our collective aspirations,” Kiir said in a New Year message.

“I therefore urge all South Sudanese, regardless of the status in life, to rededicate themselves to contributing meaningfully to further enrich our national heritage. The time for that re-dedication is now”, he added.

The South Sudanese leader urged citizens to remain firm in the face of the current challenges.

South Sudan has been experiencing violence since December 2013, with tens of thousands killed and about two million people displaced. Kiir, however, said the government under his leadership remains fully committed to the progressive development of the country and the consolidation of peace, unity and democratic governance to reflect the cause millions of the people sacrificed.

He said that task of building a much better nation for present and future generations cannot be left to government alone and urged all to be ready and willing to do more this year to support government efforts to bring peace and pave way for development.

“As peace and security remain prerequisite conditions for the full realization of our objectives, we will also do more in 2015 to further empower our security agencies who are working in collaborative partnerships with our friends in the international community to stem the scourge of rampant killing and enhance the security of lives and property in all parts of the country,” the president stressed.

In a separate development, Central Equatoria state information minister said the president’s office donated money to Juba teaching hospital and two churches.

“The president donated some money around 29, 000 and this money has been distributed to this institutions, one of them is of course prisons, Orphanage center s and then churches; both Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Catholic Church”, said Samuel Suba.

(ST)