The Anxiety of South Sudanese

By Roba Gibia

March 28, 2007 — If one is keeping an eye on the events in south Sudan since signing peace treaty in January 2005, will comprehend the undisputed conviction of the south Sudanese under the emblem of South Sudan regardless of their ethnic groups, as everyone was filled with joy and praising God for hearing their prayers. Besides that there were great expectations at the heart of South Sudanese for just and better future, and expected drastic and fundamental changes in their living conditions within a short period. And more extraordinarily, upon the news receipt of untimely departure of Dr. John Garang at the plane crash, all the southern tribes and dark skinned Sudanese united naturally and intentionally to face their fate at those gloomy days, whether being in south or north. And everyone was torn apart from within and many believed that south’s future has been slain, and others described south as a tree without shadow. Because South Sudanese from all walks of life placed their hope on their great leader who will lift them from the pit of the darkness.

Thus, it was same immense hope and desire for peace and better life which rallied South Sudanese sons and daughters behind their new leader and shepherd Salva Kiir. But the high anticipation of the South Sudanese people started fading and shrinking during or upon formation of government of national unity and government of south Sudan, where sharp criticism started finding its way to the SPLM led-GoSS leadership. And with the aid and operation of the enemies of peace and south, who wished south to remain in chaos, things begin taking the ethnic lane, and some tribes started voicing their discontent to the policy of GoSS. And that was apparent in the various complains and challenges posed by some tribes to withdraw their members of parliament from both Khartoum and Juba, because their tribe is not well represented in the government of national unity and GoSS, and same dissatisfaction was experienced upon formation of the southern state governments.

The anxiety among the south Sudanese continued to evolve from variety of issues such as lack of basic services, transparency and potentiality in employment, and emerged at circumference when the corruption and nepotism become obvious in the GoSS, and it became the issue of hour in the streets of Juba due to the fact that some ministries were primarily or totally occupied by one tribe. And what frustrated many people are that, most of the vacancy posts in some ministries were not advertised but being filled by relatives and tribesmen/women. And it became apparent to everyone in Juba that unless you are known you cannot get employed! This is the true icon of the GoSS based on ethnic groups as potential party for tribal empowerment, and every issue is being treated on the tribal grounds but not on national grounds.

Many south Sudanese appreciate the leadership and efforts of President Salva Kiir and his steadfastness in curtailing mismanagement of public fund in south through anti-corruption committee, but yet there are some elements who are trying to reverse and block the process, and tip President Salva Kiir not to take any decision against some alleged government officials, because in their view those accused of dishonesty were targeted by some tribes to replace him/her. And this is absolutely not the mentality and attitude of the good governance and accountability, as there is no sensation and favoritism when we talk of good governance and management.

The south Sudan’s anxiety and frustration lies also within the context of South Sudanese themselves as whether to forgive and forget or not, as the overwhelmed war which claimed more than 2.5 million lives, has made the entire if not all Southerners to be more rigid like their counterparts in Khartoum. As since the day one of Naivasha agreement and due to the inhumane and barbaric Khartoum’s behavior against south, Southerners started advocating for secession as the only option to avert Khartoum’s nightmare, and anyone advocating for unity is being considered as a traitor and discarding the course of South Sudan. And that was obvious at the angry reaction from some South Sudanese against the statement made by Sudan’s Energy and Mining Minister Angelina Teny that SPLM will work towards achieving unity rather than separation. And had we were to call things by its names, the Minister’s statement came in compliance with the peace agreement and the interim national constitution, as according to the Naivasha treaty, the peace partners and the government of national unity’s work shall reflect the promotion of the national unity through equitable and transparent distribution of projects and especially the reconstruction of the war affected areas, but the unity or secession say depends on the free will of its people, that is either unity or secession shall be imposed.

The quandary of south Sudanese population were diverse and immense and are ample to engender despair and irritation towards government regardless of government’s efforts, and that is exactly what we are witnessing now in the various forms particularly from some ex-SPLM/SPLA veterans whom are calling for the SPLM led-GoSS leadership change. And with the return of refugees from neighboring countries as well as internal displaced people from north, there is great need for accommodation, sanitation and clean drinking water and healthcare centers to cope up with the requirements of the people. And the acute watery diarrhea which is affecting people in Malakal and Juba is mainly due to the crowdedness and lack of sanitation and clean drinking water. Thus, the deficiency in fundamental services has made some refugees and IDPs reluctant to return to their homeland.

If we have a complete perception of the south Sudanese situation, we may perceive that their tears have not yet tried and the wounds are still bleeding and everyone is in need for comfort and consoling. And this is the dire case of our south Sudanese community, and despite the fact that many have returned and still are returning to their villages and homes, but lots of families have not yet reunited and do not know yet the whereabouts of their loved ones, particularly those who were abducted during the war and taken to north as slaves. And this is the most dreadful and frightening reminiscences and moments our people are undergoing these days, leave alone the uncertainty and as what the future is concealing!

Thus, it is our duty as sons and daughters of south Sudan to rise to the challenges of society, and work hand in hand to uplift the burden of our people. As south needs us badly today than yesterday, and we can do a lot to our beloved country if we could forget the past and focus on the future. And I have no doubt in my mind that differences in opinion is a norm of democratic society for a better tomorrow, as there is no government or society or individuals on the surface of this earth which can skip criticism regardless what sort of criticism is, but the positive censure is the mirror which reflects our deeds and offers us options to rectify our performance. Thus, if we accepted the principles of press freedom, free pencil and freedom of self-expression in our society, we have to abide with its regulations and respect everyone’s piece of view and be answerable for what we pronounce and inscribe.

* Roba Gibia is a Sudan Tribune columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]