Dear compatriots,
Dr. Sunday de John, M.D.
Chairman, SSUF/P
It is a privilege to address you on this special occasion of Easter, a time of renewal, rebirth, and hope. As chairman of the South Sudan United Front Progressive (SSUF/P), I am appreciative for the opportunity to discuss the significance of this celebration and its relevance to our nation and the globe.
Easter is a Christian holiday that commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from the grave, and it is a time for Christians to celebrate their faith in God’s ability to conquer mortality and bring new life. Easter’s message transcends religious boundaries to speak to the universal human experience of suffering, sacrifice, and redemption.
We are all too familiar with the agony of war, displacement, and division in South Sudan. Decades of violence, poverty, and political turmoil have left profound psychological wounds on our national psyche. In spite of these obstacles, however, we have witnessed acts of courage, compassion, and resiliency that remind us of the capacity of the human spirit for transformation and renewal.
As we celebrate Easter this year, I encourage everyone to reflect on the holiday’s core values of love, forgiveness, and unity. We must recognise that the path to peace and prosperity in our country requires us to put aside our differences and work towards a common objective.
At SSUF/P, we believe that empowering our people through education, healthcare, and economic development is the key to creating a better South Sudan. In addition, we believe that accountability, transparency, and good governance are fundamental pillars of a democratic society.
Nonetheless, attaining these objectives requires more than policy solutions; it requires a mental shift and a commitment to fostering a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration. We must learn to listen to one another, seek common ground, and prioritise national interests over personal or tribal affiliations.
The Easter story is a potent illustration of what is possible when people join together in a spirit of love and sacrifice. Jesus Christ’s crucifixion was not only a tragedy, but also a triumph, a symbol of hope and redemption that inspired his disciples to disseminate his message of peace and justice across the globe.
As South Sudanese, we too have the ability to transcend our past and build a better future for ourselves and our future generations. To construct a society that values justice, equality, and dignity for all, we can draw strength from our diversity, our resilience, and our shared humanity.
But this will not occur immediately, and each of us will need to do our part. We must reject the politics of hatred, division, and violence that have afflicted our nation for far too long and adopt a new politics of dialogue, cooperation, and inclusion.
We must also remember those less fortunate than ourselves and extend them a hand of compassion and generosity. In the spirit of Easter, let us offer our support and solidarity to our neighbors, especially those who are contending with destitution, displacement, or illness.
On the same note, I want to wish you all a blessed and joyous Easter, replete with peace, hope, and pleasure. Let us use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to constructing a South Sudan that honours our diversity, respects our differences, and celebrates our shared humanity.
As chairman of SSUF/P, I am committed to achieving this vision, and I invite you all to join me on this voyage of transformation and revitalization. Together, we can make the South Sudan a place of peace, prosperity, and justice for all.
God bless you all, and many thanks.
