In Brief: Outsiders Take Behind Creation of 18 more states
By Deng Lueth Yuang, Canada
The goods (Pres Kiir supporters and proponents of federalism)
- To debunk or shield president from onslaught of those mouths who want to eat ‘politics’. The fact is armed rebellions and some learned folks in South Sudan want to be politician as it is more rewarding than any other field of work. The reason is it is overpaid due to corruption or African Big Man syndrome.
- Resource distribution among communities – it is truly a popular demand by people especially among the Nuers, Equatorians and a few pockets of Dinka communities in Upper Nile (settling resource fight between Bor/Murle and Padang/Nuer)
- Power game to curtail CPA-2. It is a divide and rule politics revisited. The essence is to deny Riek Machar control of Upper Nile oil producing areas
- Rewarding his (Kiir) political/military ‘lambs’ – the Bul Nuers, ‘Equatorians’, Bor and Padang Dinka stand out to benefit more (in short term)
- Tribal – saving scattered pockets of Dinkas especially in this wave of Nuer rebellions. See No. 2 and 3 above.
The bads (concerned citizens)
- Small country, small population Due to lack of economic clouts, economics define this as a nation dependent on ‘others’ for survival or sustenance. Put it this way, it relies on foreign aids, loans, grants etc to cover its costs
- Geographical/border realignment issues – communities fighting over adjacent areas for resource control – it is just a Pandora Box opened/Resource Curse
- Timing – SS is at war at the moment – economically and politically.
- Political – CPA-2 was recently signed on the basis of 10 states giving two resource rich states to opposition. Implementing this decree now is a clear indication that Kiir is a sole beneficiary. For opposition to enjoy the spoils of the game, they must renegotiate to get fair share of the carcass – the dead giraffe as known in opposition.
- Divided country – SS will remain and be called that way as a divided country. Allegiance could go different ways – Equatorians to Uganda and Kenya; Nuers to Sudan and Ethiopia and Dinkas to a land called South Sudan.
NB: The Conclusion
Though this creation of states is a popular demand among SS communities, that does not mean it will sail through in these waves and storms.
My conscion tells me it is a good thing now, but needs NOT be implemented at the moment. Hold it till CPA-2 passes through, constitution redrafted and popular consultation held.
Concerned citizen.
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