Lakes State residents have expressed high expectations for a peaceful 2012.
The majority of those who spoke to Good News Radio on the eve of the New Year said they were looking forward towards a more secure and peaceful country guided by the rule of law.James Wani, who studies at Rumbek University, said security should come first for the sake of development.
He called for improvement of services in education and health sectors.
Secretary General of the Students Guild at Rumbek University, Samuel Lam Potooc, said he expected more efforts to be invested on addressing insecurity in the country and called for a peaceful coexistence among communities in Jonglei State.
He added that he would like to see the Government of South Sudan invest in dialogue instead of violence to resolve any outstanding issues with the Republic of the Sudan.
Agnes Nalojui Kammolo, who studies at Rumbek University’s Economics and Social Services College, said she dreams with the end to conflicts, adding that people should concentrate on development and other activities to unite South Sudan.
Another student, Charles Ronyo John, said he is looking forward to a fantastic New Year, forgetting the past and focusing on peace building.
The President of the Rumbek University Students Guild, Atuany Nathaniel Manyiel, said he hopes for a peaceful 2012 that will see an end to the challenges facing the new Republic.
He advised leaders to ensure that people live in a conducive environment, guided by the rule of law instead of traditional norms or rules.
2011 will be remembered by the people of South Sudan as the year when they voted peacefully to secede from the Sudan and declared their independence on July 9.