When kernels of mistruths burst into lies and a fuel for destruction
5 min readWhen kernels of mistruths burst into lies and become fuel for an ambitious course of destruction and the inability to recognize the destructive consequences of the force of South Sudan’s tribalism.
By Dennis E. Paul
What are the forces that have led to today’s tragic?
What power has caused failure to unite people in common goals.
We look now at the circumstances that have arisen. The multitudes – tens of thousands – suffering from deprivation and fear. Destitute and in anguish for the loss of their loved ones.
As tragic is the elimination of trust of government. The diminished hope for parents and children.
The explosion of malice that leads to retaliation and revenge. And cycles of retaliation that conceal solutions and perpetuate unending destruction.
And the exponential deterioration of civil society.
Multitudes throughout the world are seeing a failure in two leaders.
An inability to define a strategy to provide direction from the ominous devastating course the South Sudanese have suffered.
We look now at the events knowing that if leaders do not swallow their pride, if they do not compromise in their demands. If they do not proceed in a unified course toward common grounds. If they do not instill in their people the capacity for compassion, the forces of revenge will shred the fabric of civil society; the fabric of a nation.
Is segregation a solution to rampage? We saw the debilitating effects of a Muslim state.
Would South Sudan be a world segregated by despair, elevated paranoia and mutually destructive disrespect?
There must be resolution for the immediate threat.
II
Is leadership going to be seen as a catastrophic failure in history books?
So many throughout the world are observing with sorrow the countless deaths and uncountable violations against humanity. And the shatterd hopes and aspirations for politico-military tranquility.
Can you Dr Machar; can you President Kiir instill a vision of construction instead of destruction?
Can you find the courage to contribute to constructive dialogue. To find the courage to diminish the spiraling course of devastation.
We ask that Dr Machar emit the courage and fortitude to lead South Sudan out of the malignant path of destruction; out of this malignant quagmire of unorganized chaotic injustice and lawless disorder.
Can you speak to the many relatives of those whose loved ones perished? Can you President Kiir? Can you Dr Machar?
I believe the horrendous violations of civilians on both sides of the crisis were unintended by Dr Machar or President Kiir.
We are seeing the overwhelming development of ubiquitous hate resulting from Kiir-Mashar-SPLM unwillingness to meet eye-to-eye on compromisable issues.
Can you speak to the many relatives of those that lost their lives in an a
avalanche of merciless and undisciplined attacks?
Yet, amnesty must be visualized for all today’s transgressors
Can you, Dr Machar, President Kiir, start a process that can carry South Sudan away from deprivation?
III
Was that your cousin; was that your niece lying dead. Was that your aunt dismembered.
Your nephew overcome with hunger and dehydration.
Lying dead from a revengeful attitude initiated from an argument between presidential guards.
The dismissal of Dr Machar raises a multitude of questions.
A number of skeptics question reported causes. We ask leadership to look beyond immediate and personal obstacles.
One would suspect a “cooling off period” will be part of an agenda.
Questions of whether militia-like decisions to attack civilians were founded on events involving presidential guards will remain for sometime.
But the threat remains for decades to come. Massive relocation, regional intimidation and insecurity and the possibility of regional warfare.
The question of a coup attempt – bathed and surrounded by skepticism – asks if there was misinformation and distracting rumors. With the resulting catastrophe.
All of these issues have contributed directly or indirectly toward creating the most catastrophic obstructions to a just and civil South Sudan.
IV
Mistakes have been made in the trek for nationhood. Perhaps causing South Sudan to remain on the non failed state list.
To see South Sudan recognized as a nation that has overcome illiteracy, conquered drought, youth pregnancies and women’s inequality.
And hold aspirations for stability. Aspirations for a civil society; for an educated South Sudan. For a true democracy.
Bring back these hopes and dreams to the forefront. Bring back the aspirations for civility.
Was that your niece? Now disabled; paralized?
Elements of two tribes have found – through distilled and manipulated attitudes – targets of their choosing: innocent civilians.
I have heard ominous claims that South Sudan will fail. (Is this what two civil wars were fought for – failure?)
Eradication of tribalism must be a priority.
We need to relieve and quell and dissipate the causes of dissatisfaction between tribes.
Failure to find, and define, and expose those grievances will define leadership of South Sudan as failure.
We need to establish rules and guidelines that will allow tribes to address grievances.
We need to cease focusing on the faults and failures of others and begin to focus on what we can create together.
I believe there is a spirit in South Sudan that can overcome obstacles A spirit within all South Sudanese that can bring the nation to the paths of prosperity. A spirit within all South Sudanese that can bring civility into our grasps.
All can be relieved only by action of courage and conviction. Leaders that can find compromise in an agenda that will lead South Sudan out of this tragedy; that can pull militias together toward a common goal: a civil society.
South Sudan must combat transgressions against aspirations for stability and civil society.
I ask the people of South Sudan hold in their hearts the possibility that kindness between ethnic tribes will saturate the state of South Sudan.
I ask that they remind ourselves daily to demand of ourselves, to challenge ourselves, to spread the gospel of forgiveness.
Bring the hopes and dreams for stability to the forefront.
Bring back the aspirations for civility.
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