Torit leadership forum puts local governance in focus
Eastern Equatoria State Governor Louis Lobong Lojore has called on county commissioners, city mayors and local administrators to take the lead in grassroots peacebuilding, arguing that lasting stability begins at community level (Standard Zone News).
Speaking on Thursday at the opening of a one-day leadership forum in Torit, Governor Louis Lobong Lojore said local leaders are the first point of contact between government and citizens, with a central role in preventing conflict, fostering unity and rebuilding confidence in state institutions (Standard Zone News).
‘Face of government’: a message to commissioners and mayors
“You are the face of government at the grassroots. Your leadership must inspire hope, promote unity and ensure peace in every community,” Governor Louis Lobong Lojore told participants, according to the report (Standard Zone News).
The forum brought together commissioners, mayors and administrators from across Eastern Equatoria State to review performance, discuss administrative challenges and strengthen coordination between state and local authorities (Standard Zone News).
Peace and security framed as the basis for development
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore emphasized that peace and security are essential foundations for development, warning that economic growth is difficult to achieve in an environment marked by persistent insecurity (Standard Zone News).
He urged local leaders to prioritise conflict prevention, strengthen early warning mechanisms and promote dialogue so disputes can be addressed before they escalate (Standard Zone News).
Eastern Equatoria’s border role and localised pressures
Eastern Equatoria State borders Uganda and Kenya and is described as a key trade and transit corridor. The report says the state continues to face communal tensions, resource-based conflicts and spillover effects from wider regional instability (Standard Zone News).
In that setting, the governor’s message placed responsibility on local administrators to keep community-level engagement active and responsive, particularly where tensions can spread quickly across neighbouring areas (Standard Zone News).
Inclusive governance: women, youth and traditional leaders
Governor Louis Lobong Lojore also called for inclusive governance. He urged local authorities to involve women, youth, traditional leaders and civil society in decision-making processes, presenting broad participation as a stabilising factor (Standard Zone News).
“Inclusive leadership is vital for sustaining peace and development in a diverse state like Eastern Equatoria,” he said, as quoted by the outlet (Standard Zone News).
Service delivery, coordination and public trust
The governor highlighted the need to improve service delivery in education, health, water and infrastructure, noting that many communities still lack access to basic services (Standard Zone News).
He reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to peacebuilding, good governance, agricultural development and youth empowerment as key pillars for long-term stability and economic growth (Standard Zone News).
State officials, the report adds, argue that accountable leadership and grassroots engagement are important to reverse the effects of prolonged conflict, climate shocks and limited infrastructure, and to rebuild trust in governance (Standard Zone News).