Is corruption the cause of insecurity in Juba?

By Koang Tut Jing

Nov 29, 2006 — Nothing happens without a cause and also something with a cause end but the effect of this is not forgettable. In the olden days, the army at war fed off the enemy’s territory or local population due to the fact that there was no ration made available for them by the system. As a result the looting and other means of corruptions were become alarming. In this case the SPLA/M struggle could not be exceptional given the fact that it was guerilla Movement with poor logistic supplies. Despite the difficulties SPLA/M determination to free its masses across the Sudan was not deterred. Things happen for a reason. The alarming insecurity in and around Juba and other parts of South Sudan has a cause. Now with full scale war stopped due to signing of CPA, what is the source of killing within the south? What is SPLA doing? The SPLA as people’s army, why is it failing to provide security for the people they took up arms and fought for them during the last decades?

In reality, the widespread insecurity in and around Juba is caused by
corruption. It is unfortunate that all our talented young commanders who the
movement has given the task to lead our emerging forces have all failed to
provide the badly needed security the region needs. There is no doubt that
those officers have done their best during the war. None should doubt their
ability of organization and control over our guerilla fighters during those
years. Everyone knows their ability during the bush life. It was the reason
our late Garang entrusted the leadership of our armed forces in to their
hands, why is the seat of Southern Sudan Government still insecure a year
after CPA? Where this insecurity does comes from?

One could wonder if these are the same commanders who have led our forces
into many battles and conquered the enemy’s territories frequently. What is
the cause of their inability to organize and control the armed men that
terrorises the civilians in and around Juba? We thought the SPLA/M
leadership choice for Oyai, Mathok, Bior, Hoth and Mamor was brilliant for
the survival of black people in the Sudan, why our civilians still dying if
the above men are still the one we knew and relied on during the struggle?
With exception of Mathok all the above mentioned commanders were the most
groomed individuals for military leadership by the SPLA/M late leader, was
his effort in vain? Frankly, speaking those five men (Oyai, Mathok, Bior,
Hoth and Mamor) national stand is hijacked by search for wealth. They forgot
of what they fought for like politicians who are messing up our future in
Juba and Khartoum.

It is unfortunate to say that those men have lost their vision for
short-live gain. Currently in Juba city, there are several armed groups
living there unorganized or uncontrolled, what would be the consequences of
those dangerous gangs who are fully armed? Point blank the insecurity in our
Juba and nearest areas is not just due to hired armed gangs from SAF but
this also includes the SPLA soldiers who feel neglected by their own
leadership. My dear fellow countrymen/women our top military leaders have
failed to take care of their forces. Due to this less caring nature of the
very people who once were nationalists, has caused this resentment among the
men/women in uniform by terrorizing our civil society to send a message to
their leaders that they should too be look after in order to safe-guard the
CPA.

Unfortunately, their leaders are not heeding this call because they want to
get richer before the oppressors are pushed away from our soil. Dear friends
the result of corruption is behind this widespread killings and insecurity
problems in and around Juba. If Oyai and his deputies are for real, they
must care for their fellow comrades in arms as they used to do during the
dark days in the bush. It is demoralizing if a military salaries can end up
in the pockets of individuals given that the war is not over yet, where are
we to lean when Beshir opt for war in future? Friends, it is sad to say that
our armed forces are currently lacking barracks and nearly all the basic
services they need to stand up for defend of our dignity. My fellow
citizens, what good is it if we can robe our own offs their right?

The lack of organization and control over all the armed groups residing in
Juba is another source of chaos. This is ignited by corruption from the top
military officials who are suppose to organized and control the loose armed
gangs terrorizing people in and around Juba. Indeed, if all the SAF elements
who have refused to go north are disarmed or absorbed into the SPLA the
insecurity level won’t be as bad as it is today because they should have
fallen under control of the leadership. Leaving them roaming the street of
Juba unimpeded, the mourning will deepen. The lack of direction and control
over those armed forces accompanied by neglect will always remain our misery
no matter what we do.

Now the brewed corruption is landing on its last victims. It is sad to hear
our Kiir recently citing the revival of Jonglei Canal Project before
studying the environmental effects of this project. This is a project which
was part of rebellion, why want to commit the same mistake if our leaders
are not driven by greed? Just recently the UN branch for environment
commented on preservation of our wetland as important, why our leaders try
to over-look this fact? Kiir has been talking of democracy but he is indeed
failing to take the case to people concern, why not consult the citizens of
Jonglei before discussing the revival of Jonglei Canal Project? Many of us
from Jonglei state showed our opposition against this project by writing
several articles and petitions directed to the leadership which seem to have
fallen into the deaf ears. Our next move is to use force to prevent this
from happening before studies is conducted to determine it negatives and
positives against/for the locals. Our ability to mobilize people of Jonglei
to stand up in fighting off our enemies cannot be underestimated. Second,
preservation of this Sudd will bring more money to them through tourists
than Egyptians Government can offer, why sale our land and water for
short-lived gain? With Kiir leading this black land, I am afraid the black
people will continually remain the losers of all times.

It is demoralizing to see the effort millions offered their lives for
diminishing minute by minute. The worse thing is that all politicians and
military leaders currently in SPLA/M are of the same coin, I am not sure if
the African Sudanese will ever be free given the fact that their leaders
work hard only to satisfy their need rather than the marginalization people
took up arms for. One can wonder if this could be the end of Africans’ dream
for freedom as the military leaders we heavily relying on become most
corrupt like their counter-part politicians in the GOSS. Despite this
wondering, a government led by the most former SPLM/A political high command
devil does not seem to be surprising.

If the insecurity will have to subside, the military leaders must reconsider
their position. They must know our land is becoming the victim of corruption
by staying away from what politicians are doing in Juba. They must look
after our defence forces so they can withstand the strands of future battle
the Islamic movement in Khartoum is planning day and night. They must disarm
and organize all other armed groups residing in Juba currently unorganized.
They must always show solidarity with our allies in both Nuba Mountain and
Southern Blue Nile as this can strengthen our stand against the enemy of
black people in the Sudan. They must remember how they have been suffering
during the war and they should not give in when the mission is near it
completion.

* Koang is a Sudanese living in Pacific Rim and can be reached at
[email protected]