Africa-Press – South-Sudan. As South Sudan marks Martyrs’ Day—a solemn occasion honouring those who sacrificed their lives in the country’s long struggle for independence—civil society activist Bol Deng Bol has called for a renewed commitment to the transformative vision of the late Dr. John Garang de Mabior.
Bol, who serves as the Executive Director of Intrepid South Sudan, issued a poignant statement urging national reflection and action in line with Dr. Garang’s philosophy of “taking town to the people.”
He described Martyrs’ Day as a moment to remember not only the fallen heroes of the SPLA/M and other armed groups, but also the sacrifices of women, youth, students, herders, and chiefs since the start of the liberation struggle in 1955.
“We commemorate this day to reflect on the painful journey Junubin have walked since 1955 to attain the Republic we have today,” Bol stated.
However, he contrasted the enduring appeal of Dr. Garang’s vision with the harsh realities facing citizens today. He lamented that the ideal of decentralising development and delivering services to the grassroots has been betrayed by rampant insecurity.
“Instead of taking town to the people, chronic insecurity has been deliberately taken to the people,” Bol said, referring to the widespread violence, poverty, killings, cattle raids, road ambushes, and the abduction of children and women that persist in many parts of the country.
He emphasised that Garang’s vision transcends any one political figure or party.
“It is not SPLM’s vision or Dr. John’s alone. It is a South Sudanese vision for their new nation,” he declared.
Bol called on both the government and citizens to unite around this founding principle. He believes returning to this vision is essential for restoring security and unlocking the nation’s full potential.
He also highlighted the urgent need to empower youth and women—who make up more than 70% and 60% of the population respectively—through practical steps such as enacting legislation for the Youth and Women Enterprise Development Fund, as stipulated in the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
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