South Sudan: Traditional Leadership Overlaps Modern Politics
By Philip Thon Aleu
South Sudanese are unique people and one has to be proud for being born on this land and in this society. Before colonial times there were politics practiced in different ways. In some cultures of South Sudanese there were and continue to be kings. Others are led by chiefs. This traditional leadership is not erased. It has not been substituted with modern style of leadership and this has caused overlapping in differentiating the two. Sadly, both need each other to survive in this corrupt generation of leadership in our country. I and many other South Sudanese come from societies led by chiefs.
In chiefdom, leaders are elected. Every section of a clan has her own head chief and the clan is led by a senior chief depending on the population size. Some sections of the clan dominated chiefdoms but unlike kingdoms, this is not monarchy. In chiefdoms, sons do not raise to the throne after fathers’ death. Chiefdom is just like modern politics where one won’t guarantee future leadership because your father is a senior politician.
Unlike modern politics, citizenship is chiefdom is strictly by birth or long term adaptation. That means, you won’t just migrate to my village today, commit yourself to my chiefdom by paying taxes and contest next year in elections. You must acquire relationship and citizenship first by marrying, for example, from that clan and your children would become blood relatives and eligible to vote and contest in clans or sectional elections. Other forms would be staying in that village for long even without marrying from them. In both instance, that would take not less than thirty years. In those extreme days of traditional leadership, nobody would accept criticism from another clan against their chiefs. Unfortunately, this behaviour is now being used to reject criticism against modern politicians.
We were born in the traditional era of politics but learn in a different world. The only gift to uneducated countrymen and women is to adapt to realities of today and separate traditional leadership from modern politics. That is why I am not taken aback by criticism (including anonymous messages I received) over my article under the heading “Dancing on the graves. The supporters of released politicians.”
I believe that South Sudanese each other. We need unity and we must accept criticism. We need liberty and that comes with responsibilities. We need strong leaders who pay allegiances to the nation but not their tribes, clans and sections. We need a country where education means understanding, innovation and creativity. The education acquired during hard times shouldn’t be used to separate communities further but must be a cohesive force that identifies what unite us and how to move along as a nation. I believe that one day South Sudan shall have politicians whose celebrations for their victories are organized by supporters but clansmen.
If a politician is ‘selected’ to a ministerial post, it is common to see masses of relatives dancing. It just beats my understanding what those dances really mean? I thought ministers or whatever political position one gets, is for serving the nation. Imagine tribesmen celebrating appointment of their son to the national ministry of finance. What would be your interpretation? I am told some people attempted to protest against dropping of Jonglei state minister of finance few days ago. I was forced to question who that man is. Somebody was angry with me and demanded an explanation if I don’t know Aquila Mum? Well I know the former minister. I was there in Bor when he was appointed by former governor, but that doesn’t warrant protest if he is sacked, I told my friend. The former finance minister has served the people of Jonglei state and since his appointment lies at mercy of the governor. He would be free to go once fired without complaint.
This remained me how corruption has taken roots in our nerves as South Sudanese? Those of us, who are lucky to get education, must fight against this trend of affairs in our through pens. It shouldn’t be equated to campaigning against your son, uncle, aunt, friend and dad/mum who is a politician or aspiring politician when criticisms are directed against him. It could be the potential seen in that person that calls for the protection against eroding his/her future from tribal motivated supporters.
Those of us who are not scared to criticise politicians will continue to do exactly that. The devoted supporters should excuse us. If you want to protect your uncle/aunt, dad/mum, son/daughter or a friend from criticism, please let that person leave our country alone and go back to lead his/her village as a traditional chief because that is where tribal hardliners belong.
Philip Thon Aleu @2014
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