Tribalism is the dynamic force hindering S. Sudan’s growth

By Roba Gibia

February 25, 2009 — After spending three weeks in Juba, seat of the government of southern Sudan and the prevalence of absolute irresponsibility in south, one can conclude that we have to feel the aguish of our people, shoulder the responsibility bestowed upon us and work hard day and night and speak little but our deeds and practicalities have to speak louder. But unfortunately that is not what is happening with government institutions in south, but rather absolute intentional ignorance. Normally, to acquire sole agency of car distribution, the manufacturing company has to guarantee that you have got after sales service in place to maintain the cars prior to acquiring sole distribution license/agency. Therefore, to lay strong and durable foundation of South Sudan, we have to verify that we have got maintenance services intact. And this is what streets in Juba and roads in south Sudan is lacking. The first forty miles of Juba-Yei road is one of the roughest roads one can imagine, and yet you have got no option but have to drive bumping, dancing and twisting all the way like a snake. I do not know the details or terms of contracted companies constructing roads in south, but while constructing roads along Juba-Mundri and Juba-Yei, the small narrow and risky bridges were never rebuild, Yei and Tapari bridges are examples except Mundri bridge which was built by WFP but the rest of the bridges were left as they are, and this exhibits lack of committed to lay stable and consistency South Sudan’s foundation but in depleting its resources and wealth. The bumpy streets of Juba with deep and large holes display yet another lack of responsibility and inability of our leaders to deliver basic services, and beside that it reflects bad icon of GoSS and state governments’ leadership who are chewed up by self/group empowerment, tribalism, favoritism and deceit.

Tribalism is the most vivid feature in Juba and South Sudan as whole, as some tribes consider themselves liberators of the other tribes which is visible in Juba on daily basis, whether being in ministries or public transports. This in my opinion is the most dangerous aspect tiring south Sudan apart and hindering delivery of basic services. And despite the fact that LRA never distinguishes between tribes in Western Equatoria State, but the WES government is discriminating between its people, and has laid out more than six hundred non-Azande officials from Yambio, and are replaced with Azande personnel regardless of qualifications, even the non-Azande medical doctors are rejected by Yambio while Yambio itself or the state is in dire need for medical doctors! Believe me, this is not the ethics of building a nation, but clannish kingdoms. Lui hospital used to be one of the best hospitals in WES with operation facilities after Addis Ababa agreement and even during the SPLM/A movement. But now Lui hospital has been reduced to nothing and has got no doctor(s) and medicines, patients and particularly children and infants are in deplorable situation, and people are seeking God’s mercy and compassion for recovery. Many people complain that the only sector which has got little money or attention of the state government is the ministry of education, but the health sector has being completely ignored! Therefore, one has to infer that tribalism is the dynamic force hindering South Sudan’s growth. Believe it or not but it is the primary impetus in any illiterate and tribal allied societies, that plays principal role in the backwardness of a nation and Africa is the tangible example. And that is evident in south, simply because the plunder of South Sudan’s public fund is being confined within the relatives and tribal circle.

The author is a Sudan Tribune journalist he can be reached at [email protected]