Southern Sudanese have real problems

By Dominic Woja Maku

January 22, 2009 — Given the socio-political unrests that took place in Malakal (where scores from the Shiluk community were gunned down), Yei (where a group of unlawful gangsters from a specific tribe terrorized staff members of the ISA [an NGO], in Juba (where four people were killed and a 15 year old girl gang raped), in Nimule (where domestic animals roam in local fields and families broken down) and many other indicators, the people of South Sudan have real problems. Needless to say, these are roboast indicators of real troubles that real and up right people/governments would not take lightly.

Why are these things happening at such an unprecidented speed? It really confuses people so much that many begin to question the likelihood of the success of the CPA altogether. But why, why, why, why on earth do these illfetched things happen during peace time? Many countries in Africa and elsewhere in the world had been through many civil wars but after signing peace agreements they quickly restore law and order to protect civilians and all their citizens. Why can’t Southerners do the same?

External Influence?

It seems there is an invissible hand in play here. Look, in the past Southerners were hospitable people, kind to one another, respected each others values and cultures in many ways although there were many challenges facing them because of political differences. Today, the rate of socio-political, economic and cultural disintegration seems to have taken a far different twist. The rate of tribalism has intensified resulting into economic chaos that we experience in our society. Many South Sudanese politicians and law makers consciously or unconciously view these bad things from a distance as if they are not there on the ground. Many are even afraid of talking about these things altogether for what reason nobody really knows. But the dangers of keeping tight lipped are many as you can see and feel the consequences of it on many people’s lives.

Tribalism like racism seems to be fixing its roots into the Southern Sudanese society at an alarming phase. It (trabalism) is a production of an external force and it is a process produced to destroy the people of South Sudan completely. Racist people do not want to see the people of South Sudan enjoy peace that’s why they encourage tribalism there. The few Southerners who have embraced tribalism and practice it have something common with the racist. Those who practice tribalism today are agents of the racist, corrupt blood thirty human beings who do not actually reside in South Sudan. Many are out side but their presence can be felt when bad things happen like the killings, rapings, stealing of government funds, and so forth on broad day light using coercive/excessive force to intimidate the people and silence them for ever. However, what many tribalists are unaware of is the fact that racism in the west has been seriously challenged and people are not afraid of talking about it. But the racist now shift their positions to those who are politically premature in order to advance their racist agendas. This is really sad and one really sympathizes with the people of South Sudan.

A need for a Wellfare State?

Many people would like to see that a wellfare state be established in Southern Sudan. Almost all the western world countries (United States of America, Canada, Britain, Australia, etc.) have welfare states. Here they have well established socio-economic, and political systems and structures that take care of their citizens. It has taken the west a very long time to get there. They have been through many challenges and trials but were able to get to where they are today. Given the population of Southern Sudan and the resources there, it makes sense to set up a welfare state for the redistribution of resources to the vulnerable. However, many westerners argue that a welfare state is very expensive. If they can do it why not other people? What is missing that some people are incapable about….? But people are dying boss (no medicine, no proper housing and sanitation facilities, no proper transportation system, and so forth). Why can’t we also taste the fruits of our own God given resources? Why can’t we enjoy life as you do?

No, a welfare state is not expensive and it is not a bad thing. Many antagonists of the system argue that there are numeruous sight effects of it. Yes, there are socio-economic challenges associated with it, but not having it is more worse then having one. It is meant to elevate people to be able to stand on their own feet to be able to make ends meet. What’s wrong about that? Take our GDP (gross domestic product) and divide it by our population you will find out that we can all have enough for ourselves, add to the our GNP (gross national product) we are even better off than ever before. Now, why are Southerners fighting each other? Are they really fighting their own wars? Do not ship our resources all to the places where they already have plenty for God’s sake.

The author is based in Moorhead, Minnesota, U.S.A. He can be reached through [email protected]