Long way to Sudan’s peace starts now
By Angelo Wello
April 16, 2007 — No one can deny the relative stability that South Sudan and the three transitional areas are enjoying. However, the long way journey for a long term peace still needs a lot of care. Not every one is happy with this peace because for them it means losing some privileges they were getting during the years of war. These elements are not interested in Peace. Some of these went far to the point that they trey to intentionally disturb the security situation in the South Sudan,Nuba Mountains, Southern Blue Nile and Abyei. The problems faced by the newly born government of South Sudan are numerous. These obstacles have to be seriously taken by GOSS. Corruption, tribalism, lack of accountability are still the worse evils that are killing us. You can not continue to postpone development programs. Time is running out.
As many internally displaced persons IDPs are now getting ready for the voluntary return to their places of origin in South Sudan,Nuba mountains and Southern Blue Nile. The reality is that they will find no basic services in many of their villages. They have to accept this bitter reality for a while. However, the Government of South Sudan has a bigger role to play by making sure these people are provided with at least basic services. The government of South Sudan needs to be assisted by the international Community as well as other NGOs.
If our government of southern Sudan fail to bring development to the poor population, what then will be its fate? Real peace is to accompanied by providing good services to the communities. All people in South Sudan,Nuba Mountains and Southern Blue Nile have right to enjoy the fruits of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement CPA. The benefit should be collective too. It is true that the Government of South Sudan is under going many challenges. Our land needs all of us to contribute for its development. Our government also wishes that its people cooperate for the welfare of the coming generations.
The anti corruption policy being taken by the President of South Sudan Salva Kiir is a step in the right direction. This kind if move should be appreciated by all peace and development lovers. For good government, you need ministers and official who are free of tribalism and corruption. People who are very sensitive to their social responsibility.
People who put the interest of the needy people first. It takes good administrative systems to achieve positive results in all governmental institutions. Good financial systems should be introduced so that embezzlement of public funds is avoided and that accountability is ensured. Criteria for selecting people for jobs should be not be based on tribal bases or political background, but on qualification. In this way we can expect real development and people will appreciate the CPA fully. GOSS needs not to waste its time and efforts on other issues rather than development of South Sudan. South Sudan still needs a lot of development projects to be carried out. These project have to bring change in the life of the local communities in rural and urban areas altogether.
* The author is based in Khartoum. He can be reached at [email protected]