Open letter to Southern Sudan leader

Open letter to Southern Sudan leader

By Alfred Taban, The Standard

Dear Salva Kiir Mayardit,

The rate at which you lose State governors is alarming.

You have lost four of ten governors in less than a year and you are about to lose the fifth. These are your representatives in the states and their behaviour reflects on you.

Many have little experience in government. They have more respect for jungle anarchy than the rule of law. In the bush, the law was rarely questioned. It was obeyed.

Although the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement was fighting for freedom, your commanders have had little contact with democracy and how it works. To them, parliaments are luxuries they can live without. Human rights, which in today’s world have become as basic as water and food, are alien to them. Some do not distinguish between public funds and private property.

When you appointed them, you did not give them enough time to transform from military commanders and warlords to civil leaders who listen and respect others, including those who serve under them.

You need to take the governors to Juba for orientation and coaching. Let them meet the MPs and be taught the necessity for good ties among communities.

Many are probably good and honest people, but they do not know how to govern and need international exposure. Dr Benjamin Marial Barnabas, the Minister for Regional Cooperation, is well placed to help the governors in this regard.

They should also be disciplined. In a democratic society, it is not orders that count — persuasion and tact carry the prize.