“RUMBEK, LAKES STATE, WAS ONCE KNOWN FOR WHAT IS NOW OUT OF THE PICTURE”
By Marial Mabor Turic
PRESS RELEASE: “RUMBEK, LAKES STATE WAS KNOWN FOR WHAT IS NOW OUT OF PICTURE”
With a dire need for peace in the country as a result of thousands displaced and hundreds killed in the ongoing war between SPLM/A of Salva Kiir and SPLM/A-In Opposition of Dr. Machar, It took South Sudanese more than half a century to attain their current independence from then Islamized government of Khartoum. At the course of fighting the successive Sudan based governments, more than 2.5 million lives have been sacrificed, and the State was born (July 9, 2011) with an abundance of untapped natural resources (Oil being known the leading commodity).
After a painful birth of this nation, a government was structured on decentralized system of government, where states were established and a new transitional constitution was form. With few years to regain and recollect itself from the scratch, South Sudan was born with many rebellions and persistent inter-clans fighting. Lakes State is one of the state known for such outbreak of consistent inter-clans fighting, resulting into hundreds loss of lives.
Rumbek is the capital city of Lakes State with a consortium of eight counties of Rumbek East, Rumbek centre, Rumbek North, Wulu County. Yirol west, Yirol East, Awerial and finally Cueibet County. This sounding state is located in the heart of new born nation where the proposed capital city of Ramchiel is located. Rumbek was known to be a historic home of all south Sudanese regardless of where they come from. It was known to be the hub of our late Dr. John Garang De Mabior where he could come to mingle with common people during the decades of struggle. Not only was it known for having friendly people, but also with their hospitality to strangers.
Are we still seeing Rumbek with the kind of people we heard and saw?
No sooner was the independence realized, the State started to embark on outrageous and despicable practices like cattle rustling, looting of properties, revenge killing, raping of women and young girls, which were consider to be abomination and curse in our old society. With independence known for peace, development and better social services, Rumbek has become a place of terror, sleeping in rooms without windows for ensuring safety at night and making sure that you are well equipped with necessary weapons under the pillow for likely uncertainty.
Is it lack of good governance that deteriorate security situation in Rumbek Lakes State?
Perhaps, the system of governance marked with successive series of changes in leadership could have a hand in the whole mess ranging from harassment, resource accumulation by the custodian of law, filing of cases without trail, ill-mates subjected to inhuman treatment and general abuse of civilian without respect by government forces. The high degree of corruption among illiterate majority of civil servants, leaving many fresh graduates on street without making use of them for their selfish ego. Provision of social services by government to populace of Lakes state is out of question, high tendency of lawlessness in state has immensely ignited the whole scenario of insecurity, therefore, the state youth resort to all sort of crimes for survival.
However, the central government in Juba has been turning a blind eye on state affairs, despite the looming and wavering insecurity all over the corners of state, nothing seem to have taken toll in quenching the burning situation. Following the recent bill passed by parliament in favor of removing the current care taker governor Major general Matur Chut Dhuol, Chut with his associates in leadership tried to convince civil servants with little knowledge of state affairs to demonstrate against the unilateral decision taken by national assembly in light to curb the situation. Subsequently, which state politician joyously welcome to be the only way of saving lives of innocent women and young girls undergoing terrible abuse.
What does it take to reconcile and bring about peace, despite sacking and appointing governors in Lakes State?
This means, aiming high and resolving outstanding issues within a reasonable time would save the State from disintegrating into worthless pieces. Withdrawing unnecessary treatment of civilian and a new system of conflict mitigation in the state should be devised. Embarking on proper legal intervention with high degree of impartiality should be emphasize and urgency of handling pending cases in courts must also be ensured.
Above all, disarmament exercise must be done on voluntarily basis after proper mass campaign on the retarding effects of arms toward peace building and development in the state. However, a government base on principles of democracy is crucial in this sense. Having Organs of government functioning without interference, ensuring independent of parliament as its utmost priority on the agenda and making sure that the government is accountable to the citizen.
In summary, the mismatch in term of trust between the government and people should be rectify through a transparent process of governing, based on the established systems. In light of the above, I would really hindsight a vibrant state with a retrospection of its old days and norms of love, peace and harmony.
Best Regards,
Marial Mabor Turic.
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