South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
By James Okuk
July 9, 2011 — As the people of South Sudan andtheir friends celebrate with joy the long-awaited independence of their belovedMotherland, yet they are also seriously troubled by lack of good leadership inthe new country. The old Sudan has gone, the new South Sudan is born but thevalues of liberty, justice and prosperity are still to be practically seen soonin both the former biggest country in Africa (Sudan) and in the newest declaredstate in Africa with a guaranteed lucky given United Nations membership withina shorter time in mid July 2011.
With the good news of thedeclaration of the independence of the Republic of South Sudan kicking off on 9thJuly 2011, yet bad news of bad leadership from the SPLM and its military wing (theSPLA) remains the greatest concern locally, nationally, regionally andinternationally. The SPLM/A regime is not feeling ashamed at all to behave likethe NCP/NIF regime in the past even worst in South Sudan. History of regimecreation with absolute powers for intimidations that used to dominate the oldSudan seems to be repeating itself in South Sudan since 1956.
For Example, the first President ofthe Republic has demanded absolute powers from the lawmakers in the form ofSouth Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA), and these powers were given to him inmidst of threats and intimidations of the opposing views. What a shame andwrong start for the new Republic of South Sudan! We know that some countrieswere tremendously built by leaders with absolute powers, but will the firstPresident of South Sudan who is now given absolute powers do the same? If hecouldn’t do his best with the little power and wealth put under his custody inthe last six years what will change his abilities this time to effect a u-turnat the last days of his lifespan in power? Only God knows?
Another example of the bad eve ofthe independent South Sudan is the case of Leader of the Opposition in the SSLAHon. Mr. Onyoti Adigo who just lost his strong tooth on 7th July2011 as a result of torture from the SPLA Military Intelligence (MIs) watchdogsin Juba. The SPLA MIs beat and torturedhim, his bodyguards and other SPLM-DC at their new Secretariat Headquarters inJuba. The reason given for this evil act is that the Hon. Onyoti and otherSPLM-DCers did not request permission from the SPLM and the GoSS to celebrate theindependence of South Sudan and distribute posters in Juba to expresscongratulations for the big occasion made by Southerners in unity.
But does any Southerner need toobtain a permission to express the joy and congratulations for the independenceof the Motherland? And is it civilized at all to beat up a Member of Parliament(MP) endowed with constitutional immunities, especially at the eve ofindependence where all foreign dignitaries and international journalist areassembling for the rare occasion in the world? Absolutely not, and this showshow South Sudan is overwhelmed by the de facto sorry leadership of theso-called liberation fighters who turned out to have been fighting for selfish reward and not for a justcause of the people.
No wonder, the U.S. President BarackObama and other genuine democratic world leaders are justified to declineresponding positively to the GoSS and SPLM’s invitation for independencecelebrations. Right now a lot of questions are ringing in the minds of manySoutherners and those concerned about the common good of South Sudan: Why didSPLM/A fight against marginalization in order to practice marginalization byshift of guards? Why did SPLM/A fight for liberty in order to practiceoppression? Why did SPLM/A struggled against injustice in order to deny justicein South Sudan? Why did SPLM/A accepted to negotiate and reach a ComprehensivePeace Agreement (CPA) in order to create conflicts inter and intra SouthSudanese communities and/or the neighboring communities? Why, Why, Why and listof the pessimistic concerns and paradoxes continues.
Yes, the independence of SouthSudan is the best but does it deserve bad leadership? Does it make sense for aleader of the new country to say fromtime to time that he does not know that many communities and individuals inSouth Sudan are being subjected to all kinds of ill-treatment by the verySPLA/M commanders and comrades? Why is the SPLM/A top leader unable to lead anddiscipline his juniors who are executing very harmful acts against the good ofSouth Sudanese and the credibility of his leadership itself? What kind of aleader doesn’t know how to lead his people on the right path withoutdiscrimination?
For sure, and with shameful actsbeing executed in South Sudan, so many repeated failures to bring good news tothe new country will push some communities, groups or individuals to chooseliving in diaspora and exile or in the best rebellion bushes of South Sudanuntil genuine change is effected. But of course this shall increase the levelof bad news in the new country like what happened in the eve and dawn of thedeclaration of the independence of the old Sudan in 1950s.
The South Sudan President and thefew people benefiting from his leadership will attempt to crash those trying tooppose his leadership but with no success as he would wish. Also the SouthSudan rebels and the opposition leaders shall try to work hard to see to itthat the new President takes good care of values of good leadership or else hemust go to his home or to the grave. But in the course of this conflict overthe use of power, the people of South Sudan shall be the very one who shallbear the greatest consequence of the conflict from above. God have mercy on thepoor people of South Sudan since their leaders are failing to protect them fromharms!!!
Notwithstanding, the sufferingpeople of South Sudan will remain as unshakeable force for change and wise useof power. Their voice will remain the voice of God and whoever does not fearthem (be it the government of the day or the rebel or the opposition) shouldnot pretend to fear God. God shall hear their prayers in the form of the SouthSudan National Anthem.
Building a new country is not ajoke. Having absolute powers for leadership comes with greatestresponsibilities too. It is not about hiring and firing subjects at will only;it is far more demanding than this short-look.
Long Lived the Independence SouthSudan but Short-lived whoever will try to mislead the freedom to a wrong directionof non-prosperity, injustices and dictatorship.
Congratulations and Viva to theRepublic of South Sudan. I love this historic Day that I am witnessing in mylife as an opportunity missed by many other Southerners, including the top CPAhero, Dr. John Garang de Mabior.
Dr.James Okuk is a PhD holder from the University of Nairobi. He can be reached [email protected].
Nhomlawda
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Traitor, when shall you be satisfied?
Change from rebel to civil and discipline military institutions is slow but it is taking place.
Change from hungary people who want to loot to people who want to serve their nation will surely come but it might be slow too.
Be patience
Dr. Francis Lologo
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Fake doctor, now you are becoming on your sense. Dog James Okuk just joined the crowd without saying anything and be polite, you may be appointed as South Sudan Ambassador to Brazil.
My friend the game is over, even now the rebels are thinking for coming home after they the whole are happy with South Sudan independence, please tell them because you are one of them.
you have been opposing South Sudan independence but it has happened what will be next for you, even Al Bashir don’t want war anymore because this time he will lose it, so you!
Dr. Lologo
Toney Toney Matot
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
James Ukuk,
you are a doom stooge traitor who will not recognize the facts and happiness of South Sudanese people for the achievement of the independence.do you think your uncle Lem Akol is a good leader to lead the republic of South Sudan?
you are just a fake Dr.withchicken brain.to hell with you. let the people of south Sudan celebrate their independence.
South Sudan Oyee
Salva Kiir Oyee
SPLM/A Oyee
AdierCien
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
In The Name Of The Trinity God Amen
Happy Birth Day Of The Republic Of South Sudan
Dr Okuku
You have successfully concluded that some will remain in exile because of SPLM/A regime in Juba. Stay there in Nairobi till you feel like to come to South Sudan after 30yrs.
What I want to tell you is that this govt is constructed democratically whereby all Southern Sudanese tribes have their rights regardless of tribe, being tall or short, educated or none, male or female and so on.
I know you’re trying to check the ground but your a loser if you’re continues that way.
You’ve been enjoying good life in exile during civil war that’s way you talk like that as if you are the only educated in the South.
Lord Our God, Give Us Courage, Wisdom and Peace In Our Young Nation South Sudan As We Honor You In This Freedom.
Ayuel Bong
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Dr.James Okuk, first of all congratulation for having a new country and identity.In my opinion,if you did not enjoy your day yesterday,you would remember those who paid highly price for their lives on the liberation of the southern sudan even though you have a bad view of leadership of Mr.President Salva Kiir,you still have to give a respect to a history day that will carry to next generation as a symbol of equality,justice,freedom and compassionate.
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Dear Commentators to my article:
Try to get it well into your emotional mindsets that South Sudan shall not be just, free or prosperous based on emotions alone. Shouting Oyee, Oyee, Oyee will change anything if our leaders don’t change their bad behaviors in power.
We need to think and work hard with both our minds and hearts (emotions and intellects) for the good of the newest country if at all we have to avoid Somalization in South Sudan.
For sure, I am one of the happy Southerners for the independence at last because I have been a notorious separatist at day one. But I am also one of the grieving Southerners because of lack of good leadership for the new country. This is the paradox I am talking about unless some of you don’t understand what this means.
I love South Sudan, and that is why it pains me when things don’t go well in this beloved Motherland.
We are already inside the Promise Land but will the promise of good governance with wise leadership get materialize sooner than later in this very Motherland? My prayer.
Dr. James Okuk
Garang
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Dr.Okuk
The wise leadership that you always sing about is there in place in the previous and current governments.It is for reasons known to you only that you sing a different song than other South Sudanese.President Salva Kiir, that you from now and then allegded to be a weak leader is not steering the boat alone, but he does so with highly educated competent sons of South Sudan, such as Dr Riek Machar and other collragues. please Brother Okuk, join the rest of the people and put your mind that you think is better that other,s in one basket with your countrymen so that we build a strong vibrant new born nation. Please Dr., next time do not rush to write unverified information about broken teeth of Hon. Onyoti Adigo.I am sure you have got the right information by now that Hon. Adigo is still wearing his natural and artificial teeth.
your country is in need of your services, so do not choose to remain in the Diaspora. Come home and learn to work in team with others be they genious, intelligient or fools. God has his reasons to create accordingly
God bless South Sudan, you and the rest.
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Why have we not seen best results so far and so good if there is really wise leadership in South Sudan?
Surely, I am coming home to help in building this nascent nation. My criticism does not mean rejection of the Independence South Sudan but concern for its goodness. Get this well before you rush on my neck.
Nhomlawda
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
James,
Just give your CV to Deng Alor so that you can be dumped in one of South Sudan Embassies in South America as an ambassador or deputy so that you can shut up your spiky mouth that does not know the reality on the ground.
We know there is weak leadership in ROSS but that will be addressed in the next election which is far from now.
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
What about giving my CV to President Salva Kiir so that I can become the Director of his Office? How about lecturing in Juba University to teach the young generation? Why should it be an Embassy that I should work in and why South America?
Try to explain more, please.
Dr. James Okuk
wacjak
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Dear Ukuk, you don’t need to give your CV to the president for such positions. First, I have to assure you that the position of the Director for his office is already occupied by somebody more competent than you. As for being a lecturer in Juba University or any other University that does not need you to give your CV to him because the system is clear, in that there is somebody in-charge of the university. So, go directly and give your documents. And by the way, what give you the right to claim for lecturing in the University? How sure are we that the doctorate you talk about is truly conferred on you? You may be a fake one and claim to be after all it is you who write it.
The South does not need people who run during hard times and come back to claim that there is a fake leadership, where were you to shape this leadership? Leave the South alone, and enjoy being a foreigner in Nairobi. Indeed, there are elements in the government of South Sudan who don’t know what they are doing but that is true in almost all the governments in the world. If you are indeed competent, come and change the system from within, but not writing useless and rubbish articles claiming something is wrong in the South. Who knows, somebody may be giving you those ideas.
So, MR. Dr. James, welcome to your master’s house and enjoy the fruits you never worked for. Come, eat, drink and have fun as you want, but remember, you are having all these not because you worked for it, after all you are a coward who hid I don’t where,only to appear when the cow is being skinned.
Thanks
Wacjak
Nhomlawda
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
You need to be dumped in South America far from South Sudan so that you will take at least four years devoting your time to learning Spanish and culture of those guys there; therefore, denying you time to think negatively about South Sudan and their nascent leadership which you are not appreciating its efforts in maintaining South Sudanese together. After four years you might begin to appreciate South Sudan president efforts in maintaining peace in South Sudan and therefore, giving you chance to write nation building articles other than nation breaking ones.
Garang
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
Just come back home and see for your self whether good results are there or not.Room was not built in a decade, so do not expect the leadership in the South to rule with Prophet Moses’ stick.
James Okuk Solomon
South Sudan Paradox: Joyful independence, sorry leadership!
So being in President Kiir’s government is about eating, drinking and merrymaking alone. If your perception is true then this is a real sorry leadership because human beings don’t need to live on bread and drinks alone.
Yes, I may need to give my CV to President Salva Kiir so that he can issue a presidential decree for my lecturing employment in Juba University, because he is the only man with absolute powers about everything in South Sudan now (including arrests of the opponents and those who don’t praise him like a God).
Dr. James Okuk