Warrap state youth reject government deal on federalism
October 3, 2014 (WAU) – Intellectuals and youth from South Sudanese president’s home state of Warrap have rejected the government’s recent acceptance of federalism as part of a compromise reached with the country’s rebel faction led by former vice-president Riek Machar.
Peter Mayen wen Majongdit, the chairperson of Warrap’s forum for youth and intellectuals, said the introduction of a federal style of governance must first come through a democratic process.
“We shall not encourage rebellions as a means to advocate [on] national issues and impose a system on citizens,” he said.
“Anybody can be a rebel, but let [us] use a democratic process which involves everyone,” he added, calling on mediators from the Intergovernmental Autghority on Development (IGAD) to focus on peace-building, rather than “imposing undemocratic and unconstitutional arrangements”.
Rebel and government forces have been engaged in an armed struggle since mid-December last year after a political rift in the country’s ruling party (SPLM) turned violent.
Although both warring parties are participating in IGAD-led peace talks, negotiations have so far failed to yield a lasting political settlement to the crisis.
Concerned youth from across Greater Bahr El Ghazal came together for a meeting on 3 June in in Panthou, one of the remotest parts of Warrap, to discuss ongoing developments in the country in at country.
In a press statement issued following the meeting and signed by Majongdit, the group opposed the proposed introduction of a federal system of governance, saying that it is designed to eliminate particular regions.
In press statement issued by the youths and signed by the youth in their statement said they cannot form a federal government at backdrop of the tribal conflicts” claiming that the country still lacks the moral wills and maturity to manage a federal system of governance.
The group has also warned supporters of federalism that they must stop using the country’s rebellion to achieve their own interests.
The group said that federalism had largely failed in Africa and it would not work in South Sudan, warning the young nation was at risk of becoming a failed state like Somalia if federalism is implemented in the current climate.
However, the group has acknowledged the need for federalism, but claims that it is not the right time yet to implement it in South Sudan against the current background of tribal conflict.
They further called for the appointment of an interim government and the devolution of powers to the states under a unitary system, which it says would lay the foundation for a federal system.
(ST)