Three Possible Exit Prompts for the Embattled UN Chief, Hilde Johnson, from South Sudan
5 min readBy Malith Alier, Juba
It is abundantly clear now that the UN chief, Dr. Hilde Johnson evaluates her continued stay in South Sudan in the light of weapons debacle barely in the wake of the current conflict.
In our old traditional settings within communities, individual communities with even simple weapons like spears, sticks and arrows clutched them properly especially if it is known that a mad man is around. This preventive principle is absent from and among UNMISS’s guiding principles. South Sudan is now classified as half sober and half mad which the UNMISS is aware but venture through this madness on roads instead of up high in the air.
Arianne Quenterre, the UNMISS’s spokesperson has arrogantly defended the mission since the surface unfortunate concealment simply regarded as “regrettable error” in UNMISS circles. The Ghanaian force commander added his voice late to defend the indefensible acts of commission or emission.
The South Sudan Government has decided to take the usual route of playing blame game without concrete action plan to correct a situation that has the potential to destroy our entire social, political and economic fabric. With the UN now being an untouchable entity as demonstrated by the past events like the barring of the Minister of Information from entering UNMISS Bor compound together with permanent change of mission camps into civilian protection sites, it is imperative now to change tack in dealing with UN head, head on.
In informed and democratic western societies where Ms. Johnson comes from, nobody wants to be sacked when one no longer worthy of the trust of an organisation and the people they work for. This is the situation she falls in because of her own making. There exist three possible exit initiatives available for the UN head;
Self initiative
Resignation is nothing new the world over except South Sudan where it is unheard of. Those hold high positions in the government thinks that they are the only ones who deserve to remind on helm for life as was the case with left out former ministers. This stance has spread to the high office holders like dr. Johnson in the UN.
Rose Sakala, a conflict resolution expert from Zambia agrees with most south Sudanese who are convinced that the UN head should called it quit as she no longer command trust with the government and people of this country (march 7 2014 sudantibune.com). Instead of continuing her initial form, she not only now becomes a polarising figure but also a dangerous guise to the national security.
The former VP, Riek has flair of courting UN and NGOs staff to support his quests for power. He is known to have managed to pull the most powerful woman in the country to his side and this is something South Sudan is dealing with. Rebecca Garang followed him last December and now is the turn of Hilde Johnson.
Ban ki Moon initiative
The UN Secretary General should not believe that everything is alright and act like his representative. I believed that Madam Johnson was chosen based on the close relationship between South Sudan and Norway. No one doubted her knacks as she used to be foreign affairs Minister of her country, Norway. She further was also instrumental in the CPA negotiations in Kenya. Most of the water has gone under the bridge since then. Dr. Johnson has written a book entitled “Waging Peace in South Sudan” on the 2005 peace process including her role as a minister. However, she intends to wage war this time round. Dr. Johnson insistence to continue in South Sudan is perhaps to write more books on the post war era.
Many south Sudanese are calling for her to leave on her accord. However, in case this call fails, her boss, Mr. Ban should act now and the sooner the better. Take her away. She did not have to be there for a fixed term like you at the UN in New York. Take her either to New York or elsewhere. The people of South Sudan deserve better.
Government action
The Government of South Sudan should stop being coy and play victimhood all the time important decisions are before it. Sovereignty is the ability of a country to make decisions that are in the best interest of its people. The time to make such decision is now. This country in its short lifespan has never taken a major decision that changes the course of political, economic and social direction for the better. The time is now to be a true sovereign nation not under UN colonialism as Wani Igga would want us to believe (Juba Monitor Tuesday 11 2014).
Let it be known that no one heeds rallies that have no steam. SPLM youth rally, Political parties’ youth rally or women for peace rally remain dead on arrival (DOA). It is time the Government invoke a persona non grata status for UNMISS fugitives.
Not very long ago there used to be a boy who was courting a girl for a long time year in year out. One day the boy thought that the courtship had matured and it was time to test the love or the lack of it thereof. They boy decided to do a lot of talking in the hope that the girl accepts and lay on the bed for him to move over.
However, the girl was upright and dead silent. Sensing that the boy does not intend to act, she implored him to push her down for his wishes. This is what South Sudan should do to anyone who comes in contact with it.
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