Eastern Equatoria State Governor Brigadier General Louis Lobong Lojore led the state residents in SPLA anniversary celebrations in Torit. [Gurtong/Peter Lokale Nakimangole]
By Peter Lokale Nakimangole
TORIT, 17 May 2012 [Gurtong] – The celebrations were held in all the eight counties of the state, with the main celebrations in the state capital Torit.
During the celebrations, the Eastern Equatoria State Governor Brigadier General Louis Lobong Lojore and key government officials adorned the SPLA military attires.
Governor Lojore pledged his government’s commitment to support the ongoing war on the South Sudan-Sudan border.
“This day does not only belong to the people in uniform but to the entire population of South Sudan. Each one of us contributed to the struggle either directly or indirectly”, he said.
Citing the Anyanya I movement that lasted 17 years, Brigadier General Lobong said South Sudanese long history towards independence should be documented for the coming generations.
He called for unity and urged the state residents to support the SPLA in its efforts to protect and defend South Sudan.
The Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Brigadier General Emmanuel Ambrose Ocholimoi called upon South Sudanese to rise and protect the sovereignty of their country instead of waiting for external help.
“Let us not wait for UN to come to protect us in our nation. We must defend our own motherland”, he said.
Several speakers urged South Sudanese to honour the liberation war heroes and heroines.
They called for the cessation of hostilities between South Sudan and its neighbouring Sudan, saying it has greatly contributed to slow development in the new country.
They at the same time asked South Sudanese to resist any attempts to invade their territorial boundaries.