South Sudan leaders must act to end crimes
By Philip Thon Aleu
January 16, 2009 – Time is not a good friend to Southern Sudanese leaders who keep saying ‘we shall do this’ and ‘in the next few days we can do that,’ as lives of people are being lost from undisciplined armed thugs across the region.
It has become a norm to hear of abductions, rapes, murders and ‘land grabbing’ without tangible action taken by governments, from local leaders to the Southern region’s seat in Juba. It is in Equatoria one day and another day in Jonglei, Lakes, and Upper Nile States, but nothing is done to avert such occurrences. Unfortunately, the increasing crimes reports without action taken against the culprits are threatening the unity of Southern Sudan – which is my fear.
Contrary to an opinion article posted at Sudan Tribune on Friday, titled “Why Equatorian Leaders must speak up” by Mr. Joseph Lukudu, to be honest Equatorian leaders have spoken enough. Government leaders must speak with actions, and the Equatorian Counties of Morobo, Yei and Lanya, for example, are among the most developed counties in Southern Sudan. If one has once traveled from Kaya to Lanya via Yei, then one has witnessed that leaders here have done a great job in the last four years of peace.
I believe that illegal arms are very few in such localities, because during my travel from Kaya to Yei on January 2, 2009, miraculously I did not see any civilian carrying a gun for any reason. This does not mean that there are not unreported murders in these villages, given that the rule of law is not clearly imparted into most people’s system, but even so, the rate matters. Sadly, for instance, I did witness one guy bathed in blood that day in Kaya, having been beaten by thugs in Basii in the previous night in a club. This means that the rate of crime is generally unhealthy.
But analytically and generally, villagers in Yei, Morobo and Lanya Counties are able to harvest reasonably compared to other parts of Southern Sudan and indeed, leaders have spoken with action. The livelihoods here do not, on the other hand, reflect those of the Equatorian States, Central, Eastern and Western. In Eastern Equatoria State cattle raiding and indiscriminate killings are common like other States inhibited by non-Equatorians. Obviously, we (Southern Sudanese) have no reasons to back claims that there is a particular tribe responsible for these troubles. Neither is the government to blame, though it is responsible in a number of ways.
The fact is that the thugs who are behind the suffering of innocent civilians in land grabbing, cattle raiding and child abduction are not brought to book, which questions the authoritativeness of Juba. All these crimes are committed in daylight. The land grabbing is not only committed in Equatoria or by Dinka but stems from a widespread ideology among leaders that having land in the heart of the town is the best. This has affected everyone and South Sudan Assembly should take it as a life threatening issue and act, rather than saying “we shall see in the next few days.”
Most Southern Sudanese have not seen the fruit of peace in the last four years and thus, it has become virtually difficult to accept government calls for disarmament – the core of insecurity. This is not the issue of which tribe is responsible since South Sudan is not a monarchical government. I was sometimes in a village this year, and one question which villagers want to be answered was: When shall we have security?
That was not an Equatorian village, but all southerners need peace; Equatorians and non-Equatorians alike. I don’t think speaking as a tribalist will serve any interest apart from pulling Southern Sudan into a grave. Khartoum’s ruling party is just there watching the sleeping dog lying as the Al-Bashir arrest warrant is expected in week(s) time.
It is therefore the responsibility of every leader at all levels to work to attain peace, unity and reconciliation. Unfortunately, local leaders in some states believe that when the government is not working, they too do not have to work. This is what a local said in one of the meetings I attended: “Some reporters were told that I am not delivering any services, but what has been done by the state government?” What kind of logic is this? In biology, a body won’t function if the cells fail to work independently. This calls for the leaders of Southern Sudan to act—because they have talked enough.
We need peace, unity and education for all. So, instead of spending free time in towns, go to the villages and campaign for peace and unity for all. Our unity is crucial given the circumstances surrounding Southern Sudan–but attainable if South Sudanese leaders act with patriotism.
The author is a Sudan Tribune journalist.
Akol Liai Mager
South Sudan leaders must act to end crimes
That’s good Thon Aleu. Those Citizens who respect the rule of law and work hard for the development of their towns and villages must be appreciated and rewarded as well. However, there is no other way of doing it other than through journalists’ awareness compaigns.
I know some of us will use your feedback to the people of those mentioned areas to attack others mercilessly.
Good stuff Thon, I wish it is safe for your trip to the lawless states like Lakes and Warrap to analyse the situation there and post it to different media prints so that Sudanese people learn about the situation in ground in those states especially in localities. I am not contradicting my other point of view. there has been news of bandits activities here and there in those states, but I strongly believe that the silence majority of people in those States are good angels and just few people are not.
Haluel Ayoor Apech Erjok
South Sudan leaders must act to end crimes
Mr. Philip Thon Aleu, your article is very strong brother. I wish I was a Southern Sudan leader to act and raise awareness on insecurity issues. There are people there, who were born with the Natural LOVE of the country, but others were born with the LOVE of themselves. And that is why everything became hard, because it has never happened to separate hot water from the cold water when they are mixed up. In the Southern government, there are hot water mixes up with cold, (good people there and bad people). The hot water should not be able to do what was intended for hot, and the cold water should not do what was meant for cold, and there they must stay warm. This is a big mess, but it should not stop people from writing comments, people will keep writing comments/opinions until the computers run out of screen.
I do asked silly question sometime about Sudan tribune, New Sudan Vision and other Southern Sudanese website. I used to ask, do the leaders really acquire a time to read through all these articles? Because people should not be wasting time writing comments and opinions without adjustment to the Southern government. In western Countries, evaluation/feedback is very important, because it is good to be told that something went wrong, so that you get rid of it. A lot of people have been writing/ advising the Southern government for the corruption and all the stuffs, but leaders kept eating with their ears closed. But it should be too late to act, well done is better than well said. Southern Leaders does not know how to act to end insecurity in the region, but they do take action straight away, when they are about to be removing from the position of being a commissioner or so. It means that they are leading themselves not the Nation.
Unfriendliness and general lack of security in Southern Sudan have affected all Southern Sudanese citizens, regardless of being in Sudan or elsewhere. Should leaders be aware that success will never be a big step in the future, it is a small step taken just now. People like headship, where they will be called Mr. Commander, Commissioner, and President, but a good leader work for his people/Nation despite of self-importance. Sitting there and hearing good leadership nickname will not help the nation.
Many people are aware that, although a ceasefire has been hold since 2001 in southern Sudan, still there has been no security in most region of the Southern Sudan. Security does not come by itself; leaders must have a strong commitment to end insecurity, so that people must be free.
To conclude it, In South Sudan people are not safe, and they will never be safe at all, because leaders are always fond of going from A to Z without discovering the letters between. Unless there will be a change with the Southern government approach.
Wad Juba
South Sudan leaders must act to end crimes
Thank you Mr. Philip! I wish the good people of southern Sudan could learn from a wise man like you, being from one of the counties mentioned in your articule, i hope orther counties/towns across Southern Sudan, pick on such successful cases and develope their own home counties, towns or states, in order, for our nation to move forward. On the issues of crime, lawlesness, abductions and murders, the government of southern Sudan should take serious and roburst action against anyone proven guilty ( by an independent court of law )of any crime/s. That include government officials( corrupt ones, plus their families and affiliates ). Once again, thanks for the truth, its good to know that, there are people who really care.
Malual Jongbai
South Sudan leaders must act to end crimes
Fellows,
It is indeed disgraceful and challeging that our nation has failed to address the issue of crooks to be brought to justice. The only way a nation would solve that is by enacting legislation or laws that punished outlaws who take law into their own hand due to failure of law enforceable. It is the government responsibility in its jurisdiction to makes and enforces the law to protect the weak to maintain peace and harmony in the society. We hope this nation would have prefect law makers who doesn’t tolerate nepotism or tribalism, but treat all as a Nation. The GOSS should address Lakstate issue rather than relying on individual thoughts to be responsible to solve their problem.
God Bless South Sudan,(SPLS/M) A new and Loving growing Nation!!