South Sudan foreign policy: What the Government Expects of South Sudan as a Nation
By Malith Alier, Juba
The Centre for Peace and Development Studies of University of Juba organised a lecture by Dr. Barnaba Benjamin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of South Sudan on the 29 July 2014 in Juba. The lecture was well attended by students of foreign policy and members of the public.
This was so for two reasons; the students wanted to have further insights for their course and acquaint themselves with the dynamics of the country’s foreign policy in relations with the rest of the world. Second, the members of the public were attracted perhaps for curiosity and and the fact that the country is regarded as failing in the international arena.
The country was sharply contradicted by the superpowers as was the case during the Panthou encounter and the December coup d’état.
The two happenings of Panthou encounter and December coup attempt will be unforgettable in the history of this country. This was the time the young country was put on the spotlight and left without friends after the suffering of many years ended in 2005.
The foreign policy of any country according to the Minister is a reflection of internal policy. Every country acts in its best interest inside and outside its international boundaries. Countries are like people!
The government’s vision of South Sudan is embedded in seven pillars. These pillars also make the profile of south Sudan according the Minister.
Here is the would be profile of South Sudan nation;
1 Educated and informed nation
2 Prosperous, productive and innovative nation
3 Free, just and peaceful nation
4 Democratic and accountable nation
5 Safe and secure nation
6 United and proud nation
7 Compassionate and tolerant nation
This is glowing indeed. This nation would like to process such attributes which ultimately may become its profile. Every civilised nation has all these attributes in its quiver and this country should not be an exception.
The current wars and upheavals are but a teething problem and will come to an end and the country will be proud once again.
South Sudan has what it takes to be a viable nation. It has vast land with agricultural potential. It has remarkable physical features like river Nile, the Sudd, the longest and biggest in the world respectively.
It has mountains. It has enormous wildlife which attracts tourism. It has forests as vast as the land. It has untapped vast minerals underneath.
These resources are unmatched in the region. Therefore, the country only needs peace and tranquility in order to develop.
What more can you say of this country? The talk of investment is futile without peace. South Sudanese are scattered all over the world. They have no confidence in their country, leave alone foreigners who know little about it.
Only a peaceful and tolerant nation has the potential to advance in a lightning speed pace.
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