Kiir is travelling from his home village of Akon in Gorgrial West County in Warrap State to Aweil East County in Northern Bahr El Ghazal State. His visit has heightened expectations.
Residents, youth leaders and local officials say they expect the president to use his visit to respond to some of the most pressing challenges confronting communities in the state, including rising hunger, limited economic opportunities and political grievances.
Kiir is expected to travel through several towns and settlements before addressing a gathering at Aweil Freedom Square later in the day. Large crowds have reportedly gathered along the route from Warrap State to welcome the president.
Among the issues residents want raised during the visit is the worsening economic situation many families face. Youth representative Deng Valentino said local communities are struggling with widespread hunger and a lack of employment opportunities.
“As our local populace have the endemic problems of hunger and unemployment, we wish the executive and paramount chiefs and all key speakers to bring to his attention issues such as lack of jobs for young people and mechanised farming support for those willing to farm to fight hunger,” Valentino said.
Others are using the occasion to press for the release of detained political and business figures.
Youth activist Asunta Aluta urged the president to consider pardoning and releasing individuals currently in detention, including businessman Bol Mel and other former government officials.
“Our sons of the soil have been detained, such as Bol Mel, Garang Majak, Hon. Kom Kom and Ayii Ayii Akol, among others. We want to appeal to him to release them as soon as he returns to the capital,” she said.
Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Information Minister Gabriel Deng Yel said thousands of residents were expected to attend the rally and listen to the president’s address.
The visit comes at a time when South Sudan continues to face economic hardship and insecurity in several parts of the country. Communal violence remains a concern in parts of Warrap, Unity and Upper Nile states, while political tensions have fueled heated exchanges among some youth groups in Warrap and Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
Observers say Kiir’s speech in Aweil will be closely watched for any announcements on economic recovery, national reconciliation and efforts to ease tensions in affected communities.
The president previously described his tour of the Greater Bahr el Ghazal region as a private visit during a stop in Kuajok. However, the public rallies have increasingly become platforms for residents to voice concerns and seek government action on issues affecting their communities.
