Yei Old Glory?

It is now about six months since the county authorities of Yei started the work of reopening of roads in the town after the destruction of the civil war that lasted for over 20 years in South Sudan and the more recent confict with the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) from Uganda. The commissioner of Yei County, H.E. Colonel Moses David Lokonga, recently lobbied for the work to take place and it is still ongoing. Now roads reach two miles outside the town centre.

Though the civil war in the South ended in 2005, clearing is only just starting in Yei due to continued conflict with the Ugandan Lord's Resistance Army.

The road construction work has forced many people to relocate their homes and businesses. They lost buildings, land and other property and did not receive compensation. Instead, those whose property fell within the perimeter of the work area were warned by a red cross drawn on their walls and given three months to vacate the area. This has caused some people, especially those directly affected by the work, to condemn the road-building. "Is it development or destruction?" asked one Yei businessman.

The road building can take place only because of the improved security situation, since the end of the civil war and the more recent conflict with the LRA. The majority of people in the town, however, appear to believe that the new roads will help to restore Yei to its former glory, when it was nicknamed Little London. The aged of Yei describe the town as a very peaceful, commercial town known across Sudan. Now people including government officials like using this nickname while refering to the town.

Commissioner Lokonga said: “I want to stabilise the security situation. In fact, LRA rebels have already started putting down their guns and reporting themselves voluntarily to us. We have handed over the first batch to the Uganda People’s Defense Force, who returned them to Uganda,”

The Colonel says that development projects like road-building and improvements to the education system, agriculture and healthcare are only possible with greater rule of law and security. He believes the area’s lack of security has been a major reason for the lower standard of living compared to elsewhere. People in Yei generally believe the Commissioner can rejuvenate the town to its former status, even though there is frustration over the disruption caused by the new roads.