S. Sudanese artist blames leaders for failure to unite nation

May 12, 2014 (BOR) – A renowned artist from South Sudan’s Jonglei state is due to release a musical album largely critical of the country’s political and military leadership.

Thiong Lual Thiong told Sudan Tribune that his new album will remind South Sudanese leaders to place public interests above personal gains and diligently serve the nation.

The popular artist argued that weak democratic principles have largely undermined peaceful co-existence among the 64 tribes in the young nation.

“My new album would act as a reminder to the leaders who put self interests first and act irresponsibly at the expense of the innocent majority in the country”, said the artist, better known as Nyanpaleu.

He said the album, which has several songs, would be officially unveiled during the country 9 July Independence Day celebrations.

“The song titled weak politics kills is a song that teaches our leaders not to act irresponsibly by taking arms as a means of getting to big positions, gain wealth or as a way of targeting tribes they don’t like”, he said.

The singer, in his songs, also highlights the number of rebellions that have occurred in Jonglei, the country’s largest and most populous state, in recent years.

“We have witnessed bloodshed in the recent past when George Athor Deng rebelled in Jonglei, followed by David Yau Yau and now Riek Machar. In all these cases, only civilians suffered most”, he said.

“If the politicians failed in politics, civilians end up being killed”, he added.
According to the artist, democracy through free and fair elections must be given a chance and leaders should desist from the practice of overstaying in power.

“There are some leaders who are using imported ideas and charms to gain power and wealth while others use military means”, he said.

Nyanpaleu also accuses those behind last year’s mid-December outbreak of violence in the country of lacking patience ahead of the 2015 general elections.

“Those who rebelled knew that they were weak politically, that was why they did not wait for elections”, he said.

The violence has killed thousands and displaced over a million people internally and into neighbouring nations.

(ST)