The state that provides hope
By Zechariah Manyok Biar
June 7, 2013 – Sometimes the prevailing situation of lawlessness and lack of tolerance to views that differ from one’s own leads to a feeling of hopelessness in South Sudan. But there are good examples out there that can help us become a good country based on real democratic principles. One of the good examples is Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
The citizens of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have a mature way of handling issues. Gurtong on June 6, 2013 quoted one of the representatives of Peace and Reconciliation Commission of South Sudan as saying: “Northern Bahr el Ghazal has ranked the best and the most peaceful state among the 10 states of South Sudan due its calm and peaceful relationships within the residents and with neighbours. This does not mean that they don’t have internal problems but they have mature ways of handling them. I wish this could be applied to the rest of the ethnic groups in the new nation.”
No formal survey was carried out, however, to rank states in South Sudan, but mere observation will tell you that the above statement is correct. I visited Northern Bahr el Ghazal State in October, 2012 and I chatted with some State Government officials who absolutely believe in solution of political issues through talking.
Even people who do not like the current State Governor in Northern Bahr el Ghazal like the way he responds to citizens in the State. In public gatherings, for example, citizens insult the Governor and the Governor insults them back. But that is all they can do. No violence. They believe that politics is about good talking, not good fighting. This is why the State is the most peaceful state in South Sudan.
Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is not the only good example. There other good states that could fit Northern Bahr el Ghazal State example.
Despite what happens in Western Bahr el Ghazal State in December, 2012, for example, we would regard it as another good example. You can see how the citizens in the State easily moved on after those tragic incidences in which protesters were brutally killed by security forces as well as some citizens killing other innocent citizens. Western Bahr el Ghazal citizens seem to have gotten over these challenges and they are moving on with life.
The third good example is Western Equatoria State. This State often gets challenges that stain its reputation from outside their State. For example, they sometimes have tribal conflict with cattle keepers from Lakes State. But generally, Western Equatoria State is not a bad example even though it cannot be compared with Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
The bad examples include my own State of Jonglei and Lakes State. These states present challenges that cannot be generalized to one condition. If little diversity is the one that leads to peaceful politics like in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, then Lakes State is mainly dominated by the Dinka just as Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. If diversity could be considered as good, then Jonglei is one of the diverse states in South Sudan and it is chaotic.
So, there must be a culture that Northern Bahr el Ghazal State has developed which other states, including the central government, should learn from. The idea that good talking rather than good fighting is the best way of problem solution is what other states and the central government are lacking. They believe that force would lead to silencing of the opponents, not knowing that force increases discontent and more opposition.
Nobody would believe in another in this world because of the use of force. But people can easily understand and believe in the one with good arguments. That is what Northern Bahr el Ghazal State believes in. I am proud of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
Zechariah Manyok Biar can be reached at [email protected]