March 02, 2006 (Juba) – Many residents of Juba say that one year after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, life has improved in the town.

Residents that we spoke to said they are grateful for the return of peace to southern Sudan.

One resident, Regina Vita, told Sudan Radio Service that because of the presence of many international NGOs in the town— following the signing of the CPA— many people have now secured jobs and are able to earn a good living.

Vita says that unlike during the time of war, there are now many goods in the markets.

[Regina Vita]: “We have no problem we now know that there is peace. We are very happy because Konyo-Konyo central market is full of goods that were not available like pineapples, maize and wheat. We used to eat alcohol byproducts but in the year 2006 we eat sorghum, maize and anything that we feel like eating.”

Vita said prices of goods have gone down and cited the example of a bucket of sorghum, which has reduced to 5,000 Sudanese pounds from 30,000 Sudanese pounds during the war.

Some residents, however, suggested that the Government of Southern Sudan should do much more. One suggestion was to open adult leaning centres in Juba to equip people with knowledge that will enable them to participate more fully in implementing the peace agreement.