Security is a paramount development issue in South Sudan
“Security is a paramount development issue, so the Creation of conducive atmosphere is extremely crucial for the development in Southern Sudan.”
By Hillary Lukudu*
Oct 12, 2005 — It’s extremely paramount for the leadership of GOSS to show to whole world that they are capable of leading the country by maintaining and guaranteeing the security of each individual regardless of who you are, and where you come from. The international community and investors are focusing their attention attentively towards the general situation in Sudan and in particular Southern Sudan. Insecurity creates and perpetuates poverty traps and it causes economic underdevelopment. Security is issue in Southern Sudan is extremely fundamental for the well-being of the people of Southern Sudan and Sudan in general. Security is a paramount development issue, so the creation of conducive atmosphere which is extremely crucial for the advancement of development in Southern Sudan.
The rights to life and to security are among the most basic human rights. Insecurity remains one of the greatest obstacles to human development in Southern Sudan, and it’s imperative that the parties involve in the implementation of CPA recognise this as soon as possible, because we can not tolerate insecurity to be the obstacle to peace. SPLA forces should play a crucial role in eradicating LRA and ethnic issues and any other tribal conflicts. Security is an immediate priority and it guarantees and helps in the creation of the conducive condition for the development of Southern Sudan institutions. Creating an effective umbrella for the development of human security is the first step on the road to construction. Beyond immediate security, restoring or rebuilding institutions capable of overseeing long-term peace and development poses great challenges. Building effective states that provide basic services and creating secure conditions for development. Insecurity poses a security risk to our local population.
Promotion of security and stability are the core principles for the development of our country. The people of Southern Sudan do believe that, the government of Southern Sudan would deliver whatsoever they need accordingly especially with issue pertaining to security and basic services. The government of Southern Sudan should vigorously combat tribalism, and LRA, and any other organisation that poses insecurity in Southern Sudan, so that Southerners would enjoy the peace that they have been yearning for for centuries. The insecurity situation in Southern Sudan constitutes a general threat to the stability in the region. Wars constitute the dominant source of insecurity, impoverishment and political instability.
Peace and security should be the essence for the Government of Southern Sudan based on democratic principles, good governance and due regard for human rights.
The leadership should be conscious of the extent to which our people, individually and collectively, had been humiliated and traumatised in the hands of former governments and should take necessary steps to ensure security for the people.
Promoting and protecting democracy and human rights must be the goal of each an individual in the leadership and they must understand that Peace, security, democracy and human rights are preconditions for sustainable development
Regarding our situation in Southern Sudan, which is a bit complex due to ethnic implications, the government of Southern Sudan needs to design inclusive government, which administers justice irrespective of who you are and without favouritism. If we want peace, we must work for justice. Injustice breeds violence and insecurity for all concerned. Peace is the ultimate prize for humankind: peace within the individuals, peace within communities, peace within nations and peace in the entire world. Policies should be put in place so that reformation of socio-economic environment that is conducive for attracting investors and investments in Southern Sudan becomes a reality. The Ngok people need security, stability, rule of law, and above all human development and Muru people need security and stability too, so that they can development their own area.
Human security means the security of the individual with respect to the satisfaction of the basic needs of life; it also encompasses the creation of the social, political, economic, military, environmental and cultural conditions necessary for the survival, livelihood, and dignity of the individual, including the protection of fundamental freedoms, the respect for human rights, good governance, access to education, healthcare, and ensuring that each individual has opportunities and choices to fulfil his/her own potential.
The relationship between security, development and democracy presents Sudan and more specifically Southern Sudan with immense challenges, since democracy is difficult to establish amidst pervasive poverty and insecurity. According to Severine Rugumamu, “For a state to claim sovereignty, it must establish legitimacy by meeting minimum standards of good governance or responsibility for the security and general welfare of its citizens, and indeed, all these under its jurisdiction.” Absence of human security in Southern Sudan is extremely dangerous for the existence and maintenance of investors, as well as to local community safety. LRA poses profound threads to human security, and the government of Southern Sudan should use whatever means to eliminate these evil forces from our community without delayment, otherwise! Our people are going to suffer mightily.
The imperative of safety and security for the education of children.
There are a lot of implications on the children (learners)’s education, when there is insecurity in the Country. When the child is in a state of insecurity, his/her openness to reality becomes violated and his/her perception of reality becomes distorted. The child is scared to be open to input from his/her surroundings because of fear and uncertainty. A feeling of security ought to be created with the child in order to ensure that successful education and development take place with the child. Learners (children) need to experience a feeling of security and belonging in order for his/her to be able to study and develop effectively. Security represents a very significant moment in education; it is indeed the basic prerequisite for successful education and development of the child. The child is actually exposed to vulnerability where he/she finds him/herself in an area of insecurity. Educational teaching is closely interwoven with a learner’s sense of security. Security and safety are not only identified as basic factors of motivation, they are also basic human needs. A child is in search of reality and meaning, so it is the task of an adult to expose the child to reality, by creating an environment for learning.
Therefore, the principles of transparencies, accountability, integrity, respect for human rights and the promotion of the rule of law stipulated by NEPAD should be our core principles in governing Southern Sudan. The GOSS can exert a positive influence on the restoration of a climate of confidence for reconstruction and development of Southern Sudan. GOSS should play crucial roles in maintaining security, because security is the building block and prerequisite for domestic safety and stable environment. Issue of security is critical and state must make certain that it provides security, because security is a prerequisite for development that needs to attract investors. GOSS presents a picture of hope to the people of Southern Sudan by implementing the CPA effectively and accordingly as stipulated. The restoration of
a degree of stability in Southern Sudan could reverse the general perception and misconception that Southerners are not capable of governing themselves. Unless the leaders of GOSS demonstrate practically with their deeds that, they are really capable of protecting the people.
* Hillary Lukudu, fourth year student, in North West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa. Email address: [email protected]