Resolve Abyei conflict, S. Sudanese youth tell gov’t
By Julius N. Uma & Ngor Arol Garang
November 26, 2011 (AWEIL/JUBA) – A youth conference in Greater Bahr el Ghazal has urged the government to resolve the dispute between Juba and Khartoum over the contested territory of Abyei, which they say is threatening the security of neighbouring regions.
As part of the agreement, residents of Abyei were due to vote on whether to remain in north Sudan – where the fertile, oil-producing region was placed by the British over 100 years ago – or to become part of an independent South Sudan.
Unlike South Sudan’s referendum, which went ahead on time, Abyei’s plebiscite did not go ahead, as the two sides could not agree on who could vote. In May north Sudan’s army forcibly took control of the region and have yet to pull out despite the arrival of an Ethiopian UN peacekeeping mission.
Fighting in Abyei has caused thousands to be displaced into the surrounding states of Lakes, Warrap and Northern and Western Bahr el Ghazal.
The African Union High Level Implementation Panel (AUHIP) has lauded the recent resumption in the post-independence negotiations between the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.
The talks, which initially hit a deadlock, resumed in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital on 21 November. The two countries are yet to agree on border issues, including the principles and demarcation of the north-south border. Other issues being discussed are the transitional financial arrangements, oil, trade issues, assets and liabilities.
“In line with its mandate, the panel is committed to working with the two states to facilitate agreement on all outstanding issues in order realize the aspiration of the two viable Sudanese states at peace with each other,” the AUHIP said in a 25 November statement.
POLITICAL MANIPULATION
Speaking during the four day Greater Bahr el Ghazal youth convention, Jong Anthony Deng, the Warrap state coordinator decried the high insecurity levels in South Sudan and warned young people against being manipulated by self-centered politicians.
“Let us not forget that we are at war with one another because we are politically manipulated and therefore do not want to oppose any wrong doing in our communities. It’s time for the youth to unite together for a common agenda,” Deng told delegates in Aweil.
Since independence numerous rebellions in South Sudan have blighted the new nation, which is struggling to recover after decades of war and underdevelopment.
Deng further cited unemployment, socio-political issues and tribalism as some of the major setbacks facing South Sudanese youth who, according to the 2008 housing and population census, accounted for nearly 70 percent of the population.
Thon Manyuon Konybaay, a Lakes state representative also re-echoed similar challenges, but appealed to the over 150 youth gathered for the four-day convention to us it as a platform for devising remedies to their problems.
UNITY & DEVELOPMENT
The conference covered a wide range of themes, seeking to enhance participation of youth in promoting good governance and identify the challenges facing them in four states. The forum will also put forward recommendations on how to address security issues, unemployment, education, youth leadership and conflict.
Speaking to Sudan Tribune on the third day of the conference, Ariec Mayar Ariec, a member of the Warrap State Legislative Assembly and a delegate at the conference, said that youth had a key role in development.
“The challenges of South Sudan youths are many. It is no longer news today that most people involved in criminal activities fall in the youth age bracket”, Ariec explained. Cattle raiding and banditry and are common in South Sudan.
Ariec said unemployment, South Sudan’s poor education system, and lack of parental guidance as major challenges for young people in the world’s newest country.
The conference discussed ways to get more young people involved in civil society and best to communicate to them. Ariec said that young people needed “experts from different sectors to enlighten us about our social, legal, business and many other areas.” The youth association planned to raise funds so they could provide their members with training “on how to use the internet on both in English and Arabic”, he added.
The Warrap state MP said that cultural preservation was an important aspect in national development as it helps young people understand, respect and value their cultures.
“The different ethnic groups in South Sudan have rich cultural heritages, which if utilised will help to instill behavioural change in our young people.”
He said he hopes the conference would extend cooperation aiming at work together with other existing groups so as to build trust and consolidate peace across South Sudan.
UNDER-REPRESENTATION
However, the talk of unity at the conference was undermined by youth leaders who said that they had not been consulted over the meeting, complaining that representatives had been selected from the capital Juba and not from the region.
Kuol Wieu Kuol, the chairperson of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement Youth League, (SPLM-YL) in Warrap State, told Sudan Tribune on Saturday that his and other youth groups had not been consulted.
“It would have been good idea if the objectives were made known to all the other groups. If indeed the intention was meant to bring youth together and to cherish each other, the objectives and criteria of selections would have been made known to all. Some youth, especially those coming from Warrap State, were selected from Juba directly attended the conference without the knowledge of other group”, he said,
Manyiel Dut Kok, chairperson of the SPLM Youth League in Lakes State also argued that the organisers of the conference should have shared the plans and objectives about conference with all the region’s youth groups.
Kok said those attending the conference from Lakes state were taken from Juba directly to the venue of the conference without consultation with official youth representatives, who live in the area.
“We have 12 people attending from Lakes State. They were taken from Juba without my knowledge”, he said explaining that resolution of the conference would not be binding on youth leadership in the state.
Dhaya Abelrahaman Dhaya, a member of the SPLM Youth League in Western Bahr el Ghazal State added that he supports unity among youth group but opposed the way the conference was organised.
“I agree that we should work together in sensitising and encouraging youths to promote peace and unity but I do not agree with the way this conference was organised.
“Normally, the official procedure was that all the groups should have been consulted. If the intention of this conference was to bring youth together, the SPLM youth league should have been consulted prior to commencement of the conference so that we discuss with them objectives and expected recommendation with the SPLM Secretariat in the state and the ministry of social welfare and development”, he said.
(ST)