SOUTH SUDANESE: FOLLOW YOUR LEADERS ALONG THE PATH OF PEACE AND RECONCILIATION
6 min readPresident Kiir call every one, everywhere to support peace; Dr. Riek call for people to write about peace and reconciliation
By Ocholamero Bure Oroto, Brisbane, Australia
November 9, 2015 (SSB) — Ladies and gentlemen and my fellow South Sudanese, there is no better time to congratulate president Salva Kiir and his associates; and Dr. Riek Machar and his associates in working tirelessly to bring about the Compromised Peace Agreement (CPA).
I was one among many who decried the war that has derailed our lovely progress and I remain critical of the fact that there was no hope of reaching such a surprised ending of signing security arrangement. As being one of those who were quick to decry the violence because, it was clear that violence could only destroy and bring development to stand still, I am hereby presenting my gratitude among the groups who would appreciate a work well done.
I would like to register my sincere appreciation for all the leaders from both factions of the Sudan People Liberation Movement. I am confident there are many within and outside the country who are happy for your great move to accept peace deal through negotiation and this spirit deserves appreciation as long as honesty is well injected in the implementation.
To General Public
Let us try to insert some peaceful words in our arguments. I know it is too early, but can be done It is time to move with the current. Talking collectively, no one was not affected in one way or another by the recent war that was supposed to be resolved within the administrative organs of the movement, but mistakes does happen resulting to a bitter exchanges of blows-leaving a mark that will take sometimes to disappear.
As a result of mishandling the dispute and added by political miscalculations, civil war ensued as a matter of fact, innocent people died for reasons not known to many. At the end, the conflict ended in a room. I hope there is a lesson or lessons to learn.
Peace Implementation is paramount.
What matters the most at the moment is to concentrate on peace. Let us focus on supporting the peace. It is time to focus on how peace can be implemented. Thereafter, we can continue to redirect the questions, for instance, how can we collectively contributes in one way or another toward the building of sustainable peace?
The President Kiir, and Dr. Riek and their respective associates are now focussing on peace implementation. Thus; I pledge with my colleagues who are concerned with the welfare of the nation and would like to argue and discuss the matter as therapeutic approach, to follow the route the leaders are taking now-which is the route leading to peace in the country. We do hope that one within the leadership is playing rat vs cat game. Good faith will give hope to the entire country. That is what we want.
Reasons and Debates-the new battle field.
Let reasoning and debates replace civil war in the country. Everything that men would like to achieve through violence can be achieved through understanding. So, long as government continue to listen to the voice of the people, and people show initiative of petitioning the government in a manner that is acceptable and respectable. I do not see any reasons for ongoing rebellion that keep our nation behind the global standard and progress.
Leaders, intellectuals and everyone who is concerned and able to do something.
What we need for now is the fulfilment of the SPLM manifesto. Let us create the change that is desirable, these are freedom of media, freedom of political expression/communication, national reconciliation and the reconstructions of the nation and then trust that was damage among individuals. The leaders have to lead at all time.
Allow me to include the following passage from two concerned ladies and supporters of the national interest and people of high interest in peace success in South Sudan: It is a simple answer to what is peace?
Peace means riding peacefully (especially as a woman…) from Yei to Juba. It means our kids can get education & play at schools without parents fearing for safety of their kids…it means we can access clean water & medicines. It means we are able to sleep at night knowing we are safe. It means NO TRIBAL HATE OR BARRIERS. It means we can work based on our merit and determination…it means to love my Nation and do my part as a citizen without fear or intimidation….it means peace of mind.
So, what is peace for you? Definitely it is not taking guns to express dissatisfaction, it is not intimidation from the government military or police either. It is not suppression of expression or suppression of media outlets.
It is about safety for a person who travel from Aweil to Zande land without fear of being attacked by a tribal gangs. It is about a citizen travelling from one of the Upper Nile village to anywhere in South Sudan knowing that his or her security is secured.
Politically Paramount approach to show a government is listening and indication of good governance.
The implementation of the 28 States need to be seriously considered, the process matters to set good example to the future generation. The government can create more States than 28 but the process has to be deliberated in the parliament to show good image of the government and lay foundation for a better future of deliberation. I am not driven by anything else apart from the same spirit that keep our liberators fought for many years without money but for good course. This is my perspective. For peace and my country.
Conclusively, congratulation to our leaders for choosing the challenges of building peace peacefully. You have done extremely good thing and reached one the best decisions we live to see again and again. You are the bench setters, you do not leave good system who will do it? Above all do not forget your old aged need better security and stable peace. It is time to prepare for that moment our dear honourable leaders.
Creating Change!
The author, Ocholamero Otir Bure Oroto, is a concerned South Sudanese residing in Queensland, Australia with Diploma of Justices Administration-South Bank Institute of Technology-Queensland, Australia; Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) -University of Queensland and a candidate for Juris Doctor -University of Southern Queensland. He can be reached via his email: ocholamero.oroto@uqconnect.edu.au
–
The opinion expressed here is solely the view of the writer. The veracity of any claim made are the responsibility of the author, not PaanLuel Wël: South Sudanese Bloggers (SSB) website. If you want to submit an opinion article or news analysis, please email it to paanluel2011@gmail.com. SSB do reserve the right to edit material before publication. Please include your full name, email address and the country you are writing from.
About Post Author
