South Sudanese Diaspora in the west need faith to nurture peace

By Miying G. Kuon

It is time to call a ceasefire on dramas and pursue reality. Peace is real and it is within reach in South Sudan.

However, we all must employ sincerity so peace is achieved in the whole country.

A total calm is yet to be seen in every corner of this country, but if we all focus on this relative stability, the country would be on its way to implementing the much-needed accord.

In essence, collective support from citizens including the diaspora to tightly embrace this agreement is highly valuable.

The end result would result in the accomplishment of a comprehensive peace that would engulf the entire country.

There is no reason for anyone to advocate for instability at a time we focus on unity.

After three years of working to build trust, we are now brimming with confidence made possible by peace partners.

In addition, the parties have this month, concluded the graduation of the first many legs of unified forces.

The next task will be the second batch of training and deployment which remain with leaders and their commanders but not intellectual experts.

As citizens, we must build on this progress.

The time for war has elapsed let’s individually work on supporting the political party of choice. One can either go red or join the blue wave.  There are other parties anyone can relate to in the country.

But sadly, others still remain adamant in creating assumptions, and myths about the SPLM- IO vision, purposely to cast doubts on its supporters, this must be discouraged the people and the party have moved on to participate in bringing lasting peace once and for all.

Let’s quit social media dramas and make a decision to be a reality-based thinkers.

Internet warriors should change divisive discourses on social media and discuss the future of the country.

We are accustomed to using the word ceasefire to cease conflict between two warring military opponents, similarly, however, the war against propaganda and bad journalism online also is a highly significant armistice.

While these online-based troopers have changed the way main media is presented, social media has indeed been instrumental in breaking news events that would have never before made it to main media.

But regardless, more than half of the information often goes viral online is factitiously reported.

A substantial lack of credible sources for information is a case of concern.  When information can’t be traced, it is dangerous so dramas and opinions spiral and become the real news on social media.

These unreliable facts are ominous and prevent confidence needed between peace partners.

If what the general public receives is fake, peace will not survive.

It is impossible to gauge public sentiments on every important discussion without social media putting an erroneous spin on the subject.

We ought to build commitment, resilience, ownership, and continuous learning in order to get over the hump.

When we are strong and flexible, we feel calm, purposeful, and indeed, confident in our ability on what we are destined to achieve.  That is the meaning of resilience.

Regardless of what our circumstances demanded, throwing up hands is not an option.

But resorting to drama, and blaming others, is not only a sign of giving up and quitting, it is a beginning of failure.

We have options to choose from and to become reality-based thinker who deals with facts and evidence, not dramas and opinions. Learn to recognize, and edit information and stories we receive, we will focus on reality.

The time for stability in this country is now and not tomorrow.  But we will not achieve such a milestone if we don’t work for togetherness.

The trust we want to build must not only be seen between the two warring parties, we the citizen must build confidence within communities.

Whether one agrees or thought differently, it is a fact that leaders of this country are working in concert to change the political trajectory by allowing a multiparty system while implementing the peace agreement.

What the people of this country currently are yawning for is nothing but lasting peace. Let’s avoid promoting divisive information on social media and instead, encourage unity in all-cause.

Freedom of expression is an individual right but it must not come at the expense of the country’s peaceful existence.

The diaspora is on social media daily, broadcasting fabricated news.

This alarming phenomenon met is detrimental to the interest of peace in South Sudan.

Therefore, these actions could intensify the atmosphere in Juba, where confidence-building between the peace partners is a priority.

Lasting peace is what the nation deserves, not presumptions and opinions that serve to jeopardize harmony among the suffering people of South Sudan.

We must therefore suspend duelling on erroneous facts. We must come together and focus on nurturing peace for a united South Sudan.