By William Sunday D. Tor
The ongoing campaigns targeting the Governor of Central Equatoria State, Emmanuel Adil Anthony, particularly through social media platforms, are deeply unfortunate and irresponsible. Political disagreement is a legitimate right in any democratic society; however, turning political differences into attacks on private life, family background, or ethnic identity does not serve the national interest. Instead, it deepens divisions, fuels hatred, and weakens the social fabric at a time when the Republic of South Sudan urgently needs unity, cohesion, and peace.
Public officials should be held accountable through constitutional and legal institutions such as the legislative assembly, the judiciary, and anti-corruption bodies. Such accountability should never be replaced by smear campaigns, tribal incitement, or the spread of misinformation. A healthy political system is built on responsible criticism and respect for laws and institutions, not on the promotion of division among citizens.Every citizen of the Republic of South Sudan has the constitutional right to hold public office regardless of tribal, regional, or political affiliation. Leadership should be judged based on competence, integrity, and the ability to serve citizens and promote peace and stability, rather than ethnic identity or narrow political calculations.
Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony should not be targeted for refusing to follow agendas of division, tribalism, and violence. His commitment to serving citizens without discrimination, and his efforts to maintain stability in Central Equatoria State, deserve support and recognition from all citizens who believe in peace and national unity.The people of Central Equatoria State are called upon today to stand united behind state institutions and support efforts aimed at strengthening security, stability, and the delivery of public services.
Given the political, economic, and security challenges facing the country, cooperation between government and society is a national necessity for achieving sustainable peace and development.Central Equatoria State continues to face several complex challenges, including land grabbing, insecurity, displacement, and the destruction of farms by cattle herders. These challenges cannot be addressed through inflammatory rhetoric or tribal mobilization, but rather through dialogue, coordination, and cooperation between local communities, government authorities, and neighboring states from which some pastoral groups originate.
Land grabbing remains one of the most serious national challenges facing the country. It is linked to corruption, weak institutions, historical grievances, unregulated urban expansion, and ineffective land administration systems. Therefore, this issue should not be used to fuel tensions among the communities of Central Equatoria State, particularly between the Kakwa and Bari communities or among the broader peoples of Greater Equatoria. Such issues require fair legal and institutional solutions that protect citizens’ rights and strengthen social harmony.Similarly, the destruction of farms by cattle has become a major issue threatening peaceful coexistence between farming and pastoralist communities, while also affecting livelihoods and food security.
This requires the enforcement of law, promotion of peaceful dialogue, protection of farmers’ and herders’ rights alike, and the development of effective coordination mechanisms between affected communities and states.The ongoing insecurity and displacement in parts of Central Equatoria State require collective efforts from citizens, traditional leaders, religious institutions, security agencies, humanitarian organizations, and government authorities. Stability can only be achieved through collective action, trust-building, and the rejection of violence and hatred.
It is also regrettable that some national leaders are targeted simply for refusing to support armed rebellion and choosing the path of peaceful political engagement. Rejecting violence should never be a reason for defamation, exclusion, or political targeting. South Sudan has already paid a heavy price due to wars and conflicts and now requires leaders who promote dialogue, national reconciliation, institution-building, and unity rather than a return to cycles of violence and division.The unity of Greater Equatoria is an integral part of the unity of the Republic of South Sudan, and any attempt to fuel ethnic or political divisions within the region will only weaken the state and undermine prospects for peace and development.
Therefore, national responsibility requires everyone—politicians, activists, and citizens alike—to adopt responsible discourse that rejects hate speech, incitement, and misinformation, while promoting coexistence and mutual respect.The purpose of this article is not to defend Governor Emmanuel Adil Anthony, as he is fully capable of defending himself and responding to political criticism through appropriate platforms and institutions. Rather, it seeks to promote responsible national discourse, reject hate speech and tribal incitement, and encourage unity, peaceful coexistence, and constructive dialogue among the people of Central Equatoria State and the Republic of South Sudan as a whole. At this critical moment in the country’s history, national interest, unity, and stability must take precedence over narrow political and ethnic considerations.
William Sunday D. Tor is political and social researcher and currently a Lecturer of Security Studies . International Development and Regional Planning at Starford International University, Juba. He can be accessed at: williamtor2011@gmail.com , +211922402162
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