Kenya media unfairly blew Kolong’s Circular out of proportion
By Mapuor Malual Manguen
When the Minister of Public Service, Labor and Human Resource Development issued circular this week directing Nongovernmental Organizations and private Companies to hire competent South Sudanese nationals in certain positions currently occupied by foreigners, the move sent shock waves in the region and beyond.
As an attempt to bully Government of South Sudan to reverse its new employment policy, foreign media not least in neighboring countries are making their own interpretations. A Kenya base Daily Nation newspaper resorted to sensational coverage and I quote some of its headlines ran in its front page: “Leave now, SPLA tells non-locals”…; “Fears for South Sudan’s future after foreign worker ban”.
It went on to say that “A move by war-torn South Sudan to turf out foreign workers has been met with shock, consternation and dire predictions that the country is being led towards total collapse.” The paper further likened South Sudan’s decision to Ugandan dictator Idi Amin’s expulsion of Asians in 1970s.
This kind of reporting is what forced me to write this article. It’s disproportionate and does not represent real intent of the Circular issued by Labor Ministry. Moreover, it paints South Sudanese as xenophobic and unfriendly.
Apparently, the Circular did not target any particular country neither did it mention confiscation of foreign businesses in the country. So, why should it be likened with Idi Amin’s ruthless action on Asians? Kolong’s Circular is only meant to create jobs for thousands of South Sudanese who are unemployed despite having attained necessary qualifications. This should not be blown out of proportion because South Sudan government is doing what any responsible government should do to protect rights of its citizens. After all, Kolong’s Circular is widely welcome by South Sudanese.
This Circular is double-edge: first, if implemented, unemployment level will be reduced. Secondly, it will be another milestone towards full control of our internal affairs. Because aliens have penetrated all national sectors, they tend to develop patronage over South Sudan by interfering or influencing its internal policies. This behavior is unacceptable because it is a threat to sovereign rights of this country.
Yes, the literacy level in this country is very low. But it shouldn’t be taken as advantage by foreign companies to continue exporting employment of their compatriots to South Sudan even when the country is producing professional force every year. Until now, thousands of South Sudanese that got their trainings abroad and within the country are jobless.
Last year when Minister of Interior issued similar Circular banning foreign motor cycle (boda boda) riders in South Sudan, the country unfairly received sustained barrage of criticisms and intimation from affected foreign nationals particularly Ugandans. They returned to Uganda and misrepresented the issue as “expulsion.” This almost affected cordial diplomatic relations between Uganda and South Sudan. However, the two governments quickly clarified the issue logically. The order was implemented fully and jobs were created for South Sudanese. Therefore, Mr. Kolong’s Order is no different. It serves the same purpose like bodaboda policy of last year. Implementing authorities should go ahead to effect it.
The author is journalist, blogger and political commentator base in Juba. He can be reached at mapuormanguen85@gmail.com
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