16/08/2026
Thoughts Today: When Community Associations Become Instruments of Division
Happy Sunday to all peace advocates and everyone who believes in the value of unity, coexistence and peace.
Today, I want us to reflect on something that concerns all of us, not as members of one association or another, but as people who share a common history and identity.
The existence of community-based associations such as TEYA, BCYA and DCYA in Juba, alongside BCA, TECA and DCA, has increasingly raised an important question: Are these associations bringing our people together, or are some of them becoming instruments through which individuals create unnecessary divisions for their own interests?
Community-based associations have an important role to play. They can organize their members, promote welfare, preserve culture, support development, represent the interests of their membership and provide a platform for people to work together. But we must also understand a fundamental principle: an association is an association of its members. It does not automatically become the government or the supreme authority of the entire community from which its members originate.
If I am not a member of BCYA, TEYA or DCYA, for example, the leadership of those associations should not automatically claim authority over me simply because I come from the same broader community. Their responsibility is primarily to their membership, and their activities should operate within their constitutions and the laws of the country.
This distinction is extremely important.
We were stronger when we were united.
Bor County, Twic East County and Duk County are three sister communities whose people are commonly referred to as Dinka Bor. Our history is bigger than today's associations, personalities and leadership competitions.
Our people made enormous contributions to the struggle for South Sudan. The name of Dr. John Garang de Mabior, Gen. Kuol Manyany Juuk, and many others who came from this broader community,
