South Sudan cannot afford to have another generation growing up in a refugee camp
4 min readDECEMBER 15 2013: THE BIRTH OF A NEW WORLD INTO THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN.
Awai Maliet
The underlying problem of South Sudan is that a whole new world had suddenly emerged in December 2013 all under the leadership of General Salva Kiir Mayardit. The other problem is that, the people of South Sudan are struggling to recognise this brand new world which has been created for them, without their knowledge, by their brothers and sisters in government.
Worst of all, the government itself or the so-called SPLM- IN- OPPOSITION are equally struggling to understand why Southerners are demanding quick return to their own old recognisable world which they themselves had created in 2011.
On the 9th of July 2011, the people of South Sudan had the chance to create their own destiny through a referendum. They did. And subsequently became citizens of a brand new nation in the continent of Africa. Way before that, from 1955 to 1983 until 2011, the dream of a Southerner had been simple and straightforward: To create own country; free of government’s oppression, free of injustices and discrimination, free of poverty, free of curable diseases, and above all, free of war, inequalities, and marginalisation.
The jewel of the Southerner dream was that this brand new country, which was later called the Republic of South Sudan, would be run by the people of South Sudan themselves in a democratic way. What that mean is, that the army, judges, government ministers and public servants, the police and all security organisations would work for the people of South Sudan according their demands.
Unfortunately, during the Six – Years – Interim Period, it was clear from the onset that this dream of everyday Southerner, to live and enjoy life in own peaceful country, was not easily achievable, but it was not entirely impossible to achieve.
In fact, after independence in 2011, South Sudanese were still hopeful that one day their country was going to become the best among others in the continent of Africa. Why? Because Southerners are a well aware of the fact that their own country is blessed with vital natural resources like oil, fresh water, gold, fertile land, and many more.
Southerners were also hopeful that one day their government led by their own brothers and sisters would one day turn around and rescue them from the bondage of insecurity, chronic poverty, inadequate medical care and insecurity.
Then suddenly, in December 15 2013, came the cracking thunder of bullets and bombs over the old city of Juba under the cover darkness. And the new world emerged afterward. In this world, Southerners will hopelessly die of hunger, curable diseases, and bullets, the army will always be in charge of the country, and the people of South Sudan will have no space to voice their concerns unless they are related to Generals in the army.
Worst of all, Southerners had already become citizens of refugee camps, in thousands, all over East Africa and beyond. Again?
Not Again. The people South Sudan are calling various leaders of their country, including those in military oppositions: to come back to reality, to immediately come to their senses, to stop the war, to stop these madness killings of southerners, and to pursue peace and prosperity.
It is important, therefore, to inform our brothers in contest, Salva and Riek and their supporters, that this war-torn country called South Sudan, which they had meticulously created and rudely introduced into the Republic of South, has been completely rejected by the people of the Republic of South Sudan. Why? Because Southerners will not afford to have another generation living, growing up to old age, in the refugee camps.
The people of South Sudan are resolved in their demand for quick and immediate return of peace and tranquillity, right now, today not tomorrow or next week. The leaders ought to listen to the people of the great and beautiful country of South Sudan.
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