South Sudan: How conflict created hatred among the youth

By Joseph Athian Angok

April 8, 2015 (SSB)  —-   Nobody can dispute that the current conflict in South Sudan has created a huge hatred among the youth. When violence broke out in Dec. 15th/2014, many people perished and many more displaced and impoverished a good number of the civil population.

And therefore divided up the youth along ethnicity lines creating enmity that has never been experienced before. As a social media user myself, I normally check many news websites to see what’s new on daily basis!

Yesterday, I came across a news story published on National Courier title: “police man opened fire at his colleagues in Lakes state killing 6 policemen on spot”! This, attracted quite a bit of attention from many commenters. Others were sending condolence messages as we usually do when such incidence happens.

When I scrolled down, I saw a very disgusting comment saying: “good news”! When I looked at it; I paused for a moment then blinked my eyes as my mind was doubting that something was wrong with my eyes – I looked at it again – it was the same!

Then my memory flashed back about a conversation I’d last year with a Ugandan friend who warned that the ongoing conflict in South Sudan was likely to divide up the youth along ethnic lines. I doubted him! As I write this piece, I agreed with him and will never doubt anyone in the near future.

According to me, it’s apparently clear that the 15 months old conflict has created a huge hatred among the youth. Before the current war,  such incidence was mourned by everyone and activities suspended or put on halt! But now death has become a celebration to many so long the deceade hailed from different tribe.

This makes heart always to sink when I come across such inhumane comments! Therefore, it’s our responsibility as youth to look back how far we came from and where we are heading to. We’ve not yet covered a long distance – we’ve a long way to go.

And to do that we should embrace a culture of forgiveness, peace, unity and love. Let us stand up as South Sudanese and speak with one voice! Lets say no to ‘hatred’, and yes to ‘love’!

Joseph Athian Angok is a South Sudanese. He can be reached on athianangok@gmail.com

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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