The SPLM’s Policy of Taking Towns to the People is Sorely Misunderstood?
Reflection on President Kiir Response to Wau Incident
By Nyan Nyiir
I was very much disturbed about president Kiir’s reaction to Wau incident. As most of you may be aware there has been a series of unrests in Wau town. Consequently, numerous lives have been unnecessarily lost as a result of our national army shooting at innocent protesters who were opposing the relocation of the Wau County headquarters to Bagari.
This sudden change of the County Headquarters has made a lot of the local Wau residents very upset and therefore they decided to march peacefully to the roads, expressing their displeasure with the unpopular decision. Not long after their march commenced, the sound of gunshots was heard coming from the SPLA soldiers. The poignant question being pondered by all concerned South Sudanese citizens is this: how could the SPLA—our liberators—just shoot at armless and peaceful civilians who are not posing any kind of threat whatsoever to the government? I am yet to understand the answer to this afflicting question.
I read that our president said there is nothing wrong with transferring the county headquarters to the location solely decided and assigned by the government. He goes on to say that it is the strategy of SPLM—Sudan People’s Liberation Movement—to take towns to the people in the rural villages. I was like: really Mr. President? Who advised you that such change is that easy? When people are used to something, there needs to be a lot of convincing before they could give it up and get used to an alternative.
Yes, I can understand you are possibly trying to bring the best services to those people living in rural areas of South Sudan. The concept of bringing town to the people in the villages or remote areas, I believe, is a good one. No one would oppose it if they truly understand the benefits that come along with such a policy. The problem that I think happened in Wau is the local residents lack of knowledge concerning the benefits accruable from such undertakings. They were not made part of the decision-making process. I think those of you in the national government in Juba just met and made this decision without first sending a survey team to Wau town to survey or consult with the residents of what they think and how they could be of help to this new idea.
If I were a resident of Wau, I believe I will feel like some kind of dictatorship took place. What guarantees do I have that tomorrow the government will not come and kick me out of my house and say that ‘by the way, we are going to use your house for official business.’ You see, what I am saying is that there could have been a better approach by the president not just for him to come out on the defense that it’s the SPLM policy to bring town to people and there should be no questions. At least, the most the President could have done is to apologize for the way his administration mishandled the issue of Wau. He also owes the families of those who lost their life a proper explanation of what bringing towns to people really means. If anything, he could share the tentative programs they have planned for the relocation of the Wau County headquarters. The President could have clearly been giving the pros and cons of the decision that he made and how his administration got the decision to move Wau office out of all the other state’s offices. At least, providing some answers that made sense could or would portray President Kiir Mayardit as a real man on a mission with a vision of a better South Sudan.
The damage was done in Wau already; those lost lives cannot come back to life. But what could happen from now onward is for the government to find a positive way forward to avoid another Wau incident. The next time the South Sudan government decides it’s going to make or is planning to make a major change in any South Sudanese state or village, it is vital they send out a team that will analyze the possible foremost implications that could arise from the decision. Also, that selected future team or committee job will be for briefing the local residents. Thus, they should come prepared to answer all the questions that the citizens may have.
Mr. President, I understand you are doing your level best for this country but please, sometimes take time and listen to us the citizens and what we want you to do. It is in doing so that a real democracy is achieved. Democracy is the rule by the people, for the people and of the people. May God bless the leadership of South Sudan and its people!
You can reach the author through her email address: Nyan Nyiir <nyannyiir@yahoo.com>
About Post Author
