Some internal displaced persons at Jazeera in Yei River staged a peaceful protest against high cost of living on Thursday, saying they are unable to afford most commodities in the market.
The dozens of IDPs held posters written “enough of high cost of living” and “I am hungry” citing that they cannot afford food and basic needs.
They called on the government to intervene by addressing the high prices as well as insecurity around greater Yei.
“Today, we have come out because of the kind of suffering we are going through,” said one woman who was part of the demonstration. His name has been withheld for security reason.
“We are in an open space we don’t have a shelter to sleep under, we don’t have food to eat, we don’t have clothes to put on,”
The IDPs were displaced in Mukaya payam of Lainya County between 2019 to 2022 following violent between the armed group and the army.
Others were also displaced due to attacks on villages by suspected cattle keepers last year.
“Our belongings were burnt down, our items are being looted and we are displaced to this open place,” she added.
“Our children are surviving on insufficient mango fruits. Therefore I call upon the government to help us because we have given birth for nothing.”
“Many of our children have been killed and the only one we run away with them is going to die because of hunger. This is what is disturbing us the women.”
Another protestor who also requested not to be identified for fears says he cannot afford the current living.
“I am hungry. I was displaced with all my family I am an IDPs for a month now am surviving on wild fruits without food and the fruits are now going to finish.”
He said his house was razed down, his properties looted and he is left vulnerable and unable to feed his family.
“I was displaced and since that time up to now, I cannot afford food, things are high in the market. I cannot afford to buy a tin of flour, my children cannot go to school.”
When contacted by Eye Radio, the Commissioner of Yei River County Aggrey Cyrus Kanyikwa said he learned about the protest only on social media.
“I was not aware of their protest. Their protest was a silent protest and I think it was an intentional protest that was only meant to draw an attention,” he told Eye Radio.
“But we were informed from social media that there was a protest that took place, I was not aware myself.”
He said the IDPs grievances are genuine but added that the issue of high cost of living is a general problem which is not only in South Sudan.
