South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda Loses its Focus and Direction!
4 min readThe future of South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda needs to be revised before it collapses into tribal briefcases
By Malek Cook-Dwach, Kampala, Uganda
July 13, 2015 (SSB) —- The well organized function which took place on 11th/07/2015 in commemoration4th Anniversary of the Republic of South Sudan at Makerere University by South Sudanese Students’ Union, has been used as platform by those who happened to be invited guests who not only uttered unnecessary hateful speeches –aimed at fragmenting our nation unity and inter-communal cohesion but deviated away from what the occasion was intended to. They went as far as resorting to insult and assassinate the characters of those whom they see as their political opponents.
Unfortunately the above inciters were echoed by unexpected unilateral statement by Union President Makuey Aguer recognizing the extended lifespan of Juba government which was digested and seen as a mere propaganda representing his own opinion not the entire Union’s leadership. The leadership is in disagreement because it is clearly spelled out from Union’s Constitution that the body is a non-partisan organization whose core function deals with Students affairs. Issuing such a unilateral statement has created concern among the union leadership. It is an action that calls for an actionable response.
As we all know, any rational citizen of South Sudan would wish the continuation of president’s legitimacy to come into existence through peace agreement and formation of transitional government of national unity prior to election and not by unconstitutional renewal of term limit, which already squandered its legitimacy. The establishment of a transitional government, which represents the wills of people, would be a viable solution to the current political turmoil then recognizing the internal and external unwanted extension, which can only prolong the war and the suffering of innocent civilians.
The Union consists of three branches; Executive branch which is the higher organ of the union, Judiciary branch and the legislative branch in which all are liable for Union affairs in adhering to union principles and objectives. Anything of shortcoming from union leadership could not be tolerated because the South Sudanese unity is paramount than individual gains. With the same notion all these branches are empowered by constitution to issue statement objecting and distancing themselves from divisive and provocative speeches from some proclaimed elements within union.
One couldn’t imagine and get confused on what would come out from these three politicians whom are known for incitement and hateful speeches in several occasions, James Kok Rueh, Ambassador Samuel Lowate and Akol Paul rather their self-ego claim to be nationalists which is contrary to their actions instead of bringing the broken South Sudanese society together by following the well-designed theme which talks about” Unity as primarily goal”.
The future of South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda needs to be revised and safe before it is too late and collapse into tribal briefcases by recognizing the other South Sudanese ethnic diversity because what we experienced and noticed as a Union practices in term of decision making is manipulation by few for their political interest denying other tribes fair participation and representation.
The use of students’ union in Uganda as a platform for further dividing South Sudanese communities for the purposes of satisfying the interest of few political and tribal elitists compromise the very principle and spirit under which this union was formed.
Failure to halt this current practice would not only create deviation from the vision of the union but creation of tribal realism, which shall provide flourishing environment for our upcoming future generation.
The Author is Parliamentarian Affairs Minister for South Sudanese Students’ Union in Uganda and Political Commentator. He can be reached at malekcook75@gmail.com
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