South Sudan minister got it all Wrong!
By Sabrino Majok Majok*
Aug 17, 2006 — Last week, Minister of Education of Central Equatoria State, Dr. Lokulenge Lole, had opportunity to address South Sudanese students at Nairobi Hotel.
When I saw a headline (Sudan Radio Service, August 16, “Southern Sudanese have been warned not to get information about their country from the internet,” I was eager to know what else the minister had to say, especially on how to attract students and professionals back to South Sudan.
Although, the minister briefly talked about his plans to attract teachers, he squandered the most part of his time on trivial issues.
On top of the list, was the question of Internet. On this topic, the minister warned students not to get information from “Internet” because it’s not a right place for information. I thought the minister would encourage students to be knowledgeable about modern technology, including the use of Internet and signing up for e-mail accounts. In fact, the minister should have talked about his plans to connect institutions with schools via Internet. Otherwise, if our minister is allergic to Internet then he must voluntarily quit his position, as Internet is part and parcel of educational tools.
This is his lectur about “Internet:”
“When you read the internet these days and you read the attacks on government, on individual politicians in southern Sudan I feel very sorry. Sorry in the sense that somebody sits on his computer in New York doing nothing, he has not even seen southern Sudan and he becomes an expert of analysis of the situation in southern Sudan.”
In the above quotation, it’s crystal clear that the minister, intentionally or not, had effectively discouraged students who already have access to Internet or cyber world–the current world order–where all kinds of information are at just a mouse-click away. Secondly, it will be difficult, if not impossible, for those who were planning or dreaming to get themselves connected. Indeed, the minister’s message to knowledge thirsty citizens is tantamount to advising people to turn their TV or radio off, because it carries a lot of war and war related calamities, as exemplify by Iraq, Israeli-Hezbollah wars.
While we are aware of danger of cyber-world, we shouldn’t advise our future leaders to retreat but to subdue and make a wise use of it: isn’t that simple. But instructing or alluding to learners not touch computers, is unwise and our minister must take note of his disabling statement.
Furthermore, our minister also tried to deflect a widespread concerns about prevalent corruption in the South Sudan, and erroneously called it “alleged” corruption “without any basis of proof”. I called his message “erroneous” because those with South at heart all are in agreement that the disease called corruption is “well and alive” in South Sudan. Although we must not blame it all on fledging GOSS, because the problem is part of opprssors’ legacy, our government has a bigger role to play to put an end to corruption.
People appreciate very much when the problem is called by its ugly name: Corruption. For example, many South Sudanese officials in Federal, GOSS, or state governments all talk about the disease. For example, First Vice President himself always talks about “fighting” and “eradicating” corruption in the system. If I may humbly ask the minister what is his take about “fighting” and “eradicating” corruption? Or Why and how “fight” and “eradicate” something that is non-existence, as our minister would want us to believe?
Another example on the same topic, corruption, was admission by deputy speaker of National Assembly, Molana Atem Garang. Molana Atem was also concerned but optimistic on a fight and eradication of the disease by all means including “firing” the diseased officials (http://www.smc.sd/ar/artopic.asp?artID=18113&aCK=AA). This article was translated by Maker Costa:
“The SPLM, led by First Lieutenant Major General Salva Kiir Mayardit the 1st Vice President, has admitted the existence of corruption in
the south. Mr. Garang Atem, the Deputy Speaker of the National
Council (The Parliament) told SMC that corruption is there in the
south and can’t be denied, but, equally, it can’t be denied that it
has always been there in the south as a direct result of former
corrupt administrations which had ruled the south before the SPLM. He added that corruption is ubiquitous because the governmental auditing system is not working in the south. Garang also revealed that an extensive reshuffling will take place soon in the cabinet of the GoSS and those found guilty of corrupt acts, both financially and administratively, will be fired. He also said that the reshuffling comes as a result of SPLM commitment to good governance.” (The End of Translation)
Therefore, Dr. Lokulenge Lole should not bark on a wrong tree: Internet or those who report invasion of the disease. Because it’s high time that we made it public and worked to collectively to fight corruption in all its forms, shapes and colours.
* Sabrino Majok Majok is a Sudanese national, he call be reached via [email protected]