Civil society must be empowered

According to the commissioner of Yei River County in Southern Sudan, civil society has an important role to play in the development of the country and he therefore appreciates the work of MS and its partners.

The challenges are many and huge for the people holding political and administrative positions in the Government of Southern Sudan. In Yei River County, the commissioner is aware of the great task in front of him and he knows that the county administration and the politicians will not be able to do it on their own.

“The civil society organisations (CSOs) are very important for the development of Southern Sudan and therefore, civil society needs to be strengthened and empowered. One great advantage of the civil society organisations is that they reach all the way down to the grass roots. We are faced with a great challenge in developing democracy in Southern Sudan and it is crucial that everybody has the opportunity to take part in this process,” says commissioner of Yei River County David Lokonga Moses.

Due to the close relationship with the people, it is easy for the CSOs to reach all interest groups.

“They represent all groups including women and youth who have difficulties in accessing information as it is now,” the commissioner says.

Impartial and trustworthy
Especially when it comes to giving out information, David Lokonga Moses believes that civil society has an important role to play.

“CSOs are independent and I trust that they are the right people to disseminate information to the people. They will give the right information and they do not have any underlying agendas which will lead them to hide information. CSOs gather information and make people aware of what is going on. This is very helpful for us and I see it as if they are supporting us in our work,” he explains.

Commissioner of Yei River County in Southern Sudan David Lokonga Moses. Photo: Janne Bruvoll.

People must know their rights
Improved access to information is one of the achievements of MS and its partners that the commissioner is pleased with the most.

“It is important that we share information and MS Sudan has an important role to make sure that information is shared. When looking at the presence of MS here in Yei River County, I especially appreciate the support given to the local media like FM-stations and newsletters and to the local resource centres,” David Lokonga Moses says.

He is convinced that the presence of MS Sudan has led to a stronger civil society in Yei River County.

“I have noticed that civil society is getting stronger and the organisations have a very good connection with the people,” he says.

Next year, the people of Southern Sudan are taking part in a national election for the first time in more than 20 years and also in this connection, civil society is important.

“This is a crucial moment for Southern Sudan. It is the right of the people to participate but the only way for them to know their rights is if the civil society organisations educate them about them,” David Lokonga Moses says.