Vote wisely in April

By Dominic Woja Maku

February 16, 2010 — After a protracted civil war that lasted for decades, it is general elections time and Sudanese from all walks of life are going to the polls in April of 2010 to elect people who are going to represent them in various levels of government (both in the North and in the South of the country). In the coming elections there are many prospectuses at stake as local people converge and crisscross within their vicinities in search for truth about individual politicians and political parties that can deliver services to them when elected into offices.

There seems to be numerous expectations that these elections may bring plenty of blessings on the one hand, but many still remain skeptical on the other because many ordinary people are still in doubt of whether their voices can be heard after casting their votes (moral and political dilemma). Many still are of the view that the elections may not produce tangible results because they may not be free and fair given the tribal and regional tensions which may affect the elections results. Nonetheless, many still have hope and are determined to vote irrespective of the outcome of the elections.

Who should tell us the truth about the elections?

As the campaigning season begins, politicians are readying themselves as well to hit the campaign trail. In the process the politicians ought to have campaign strategies handy just in case they may face a question or two that they may be compelled to provide answers to. However, as the heat of the elections fever boils up many politicians and their agents have resorted to negative campaign strategies (personal attacks on their opponents). In politics your rivals are called “political opponents” not “political enemies”, just like in a sporting match, but on many occasions Southern political leaders refer to those opposing their views as “enemies” a mind bogging political strategy that may not be useful in modern politics.

Many have resorted to micro-political strategies aimed at damaging their opponents’ reputations rather than building a constructive political argument that can help build a political system that is accommodative, inclusive and tolerant of various political views. These days you hear such things as: “Because of your past history we are not going to allow you in the South; you are traitor so you cannot come to south Sudan, you are an ally of so and so and that alone is enough to impede you from participating in politics in the south, you are anti self-determination/referendum, you are like this and that”, and so forth and so forth. These micro-political strategies are becoming too common in south Sudan and they seem to be fixing roots fairly quickly into the political landscape of the country.

Are these micro-political strategies helpful?

Absolutely not, because they may act as cleavages amongst politicians who may in turn preach them to their supporters and consequently a situation can emerge (“us” and “them”). Eventually the “us” and the “them” begin to look at each other as real problems and thus, real political enemies, then chances of working in a bi-partisan way or in coalitions may be reduced to nil. Ultimately, trust will be lost in the process and suspicion will replace trust (every person around you becomes an enemy even if they are not). You see anybody moving by you definitely suspect them to be your enemies. What do you think they may think about you? As humans they too may develop some sort of skepticism and resentment towards you as a measure to counteract your actions. Politically this is a very dangerous phenomenon because idealistically it may create a situation similar to that one of the “Reign of Terror” of the French where political opponents end up suspicious about anyone around them who became targets of political assassination (guillotine).

Power and the general elections

Many believe that when you hold a government office such as the presidency, legislative, ministerial and so forth you are a powerful person. Indeed you may become a powerful person when you hold a position of power. But how will you handle power when you are seated on a powerful political chair is one thing many have failed to grasp. When you have authority you definitely have power to instruct others to do particular things for you and they will do them willingly without questioning the authenticity and the integrity of those things to be done.

For example when you authorize your subjects to “not allow that particular political party to operate in the south” you have given your subjects a full mandate to execute using the power you have entrusted onto the. They go ahead and do it without contemplating about the legitimacy and political implications their actions may produce. In the end it is you who gave them the power who will have to deal with the consequences of the actions of your subjects because power will have to return to you.

Elections are meant for distribution and re-distribution of power which implies that the local people also will have a share of the political power leaders and politicians have. The voters are given the power by the constitution and they have the right to give power to politicians they can trust and those whom they hate. Thus power is something one cannot keep forever. There are some politically naïve Southerners who still believe that they are “born to rule” and therefore they will never relinquish power to anybody who is not from their tribe. Here is where the problem lies; some tribes in the south believe strongly that power should remain in their hands. What about the elections, how are they going to stop them from taking power away from them and give it to those who have not had it before? Will they invade and do away with the voters? This remains to be seen.

Southerners should not be confused by minority cliques who have been sinking them into the boat that will carry them across the sea safely. There are some in government today who are fueling corruption, nepotism, tribalism because they want to retain power regardless of their incompetence. They tell you that so and so is bad because of their past, political affiliation and believe, but think about the last five years and see if these people have delivered services to you. This should be able to influence your voting way and stand up for political transformation; you have the power in your hands.

The author is a Sudanese doctorate student of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of British Columbia, Canada. He is the author of Okumu’s Journey: A Sudanese Refugee Boy’s Narrative and Dark Feathers along the River Nile. Reach him through [email protected]