When shall South Sudan’s Youth Bear Hope for Nation Building?
By Arol Dut Jok Dau, Juba, South Sudan
November 21, 2015 (SSB) —- South Sudan’s youth in this context must be understood from the perspective of what contributions they can make for their country’s national building. Puzzling as such, is the fact that the youths’ instrumental role in this country has lost its meaning. As a matter of reality, there is no hesitation to pose a question on when shall the South Sudanese’s youths bear out the hope this nation has in them for its building whether it could be the case today or in future?
The point to note here is that youths play a fundamental role in shaping the important course of development, taking into account the anticipation for their positive actions to realize the proud image of their country as well as well-being of all citizens. I have noticed that South Sudanese’s youths must have lost track of what their society could have required of them, as language demonstrates the context in irony, with the Dinka saying going as ‘Aa päräk arec ee ke ciem ku apath ke looi ‘ translated as a youth’s devolution for the amount of work done is more worthy than they could be good only at eating. South Sudan’s development relies on them as important basic human assets.
Young as it is, South Sudan demands a lot of inputs from its youths in terms of exploring the kaleidoscope of issues of interest in order to produce outstanding academicians in various fields of professions by which they can play an active developmental role. Somewhat, a number of young people have already chosen their life long careers, with some of them having identified themselves as scholars in the variety of academic learning spheres.
It has been distinguishable in the ongoing conflict that South Sudan’s youths have never exhibited their nationalistic and patriotic feelings toward their country as sovereignty and integrity have almost been infringed on by the external geopolitical pressures.
South Sudan has always gone through circumstances which have almost jeopardize its international diplomacy, and it is upon that background that youths must stand on strong feet to fight their way into restoration of our country’s lost part of international diplomatic glory and pride.
With all these being in the interest of building our society, a focus should not only be on reshaping South Sudan’s foreign relations with the world but also it is important for the youths to engage in community development by encouraging the local populations to embrace hard work including appreciating the availability of manual labour. No country can prosper economically without people accepting to perform a manual work.
I really appreciate the fact that this piece of an article has coincided with adopting the bill into law to provide for the creation of the twenty eight states, following President Kiir’s Order early this month when he promised ‘taking the towns to villages’ which can only be achieved through youths’ engagement in mobilizing and sensitizing those South Sudanese who are extremely in darkness at grassroots in the village.
Valuing peace as a vital aspect of nation building, therefore, could credit South Sudan’s youths with appreciation because it would not make a meaning for them to be regarded only as instrumental for work but also for a society.
As reflected in the words of Herbert Hoover, “Old men declare war. But it’s the youth that must fight and die,” the youths deserve a big portion of blame for failing to foresee this disastrous outcome. Majority of South Sudanese live on one meal per a day due to skyrocketing prices of consumable items; and following the outbreak of 15th December 2013 leading to the current conflict which is still speeding up on high political and economic dimensions with more than 10,000 lives lost and over 1.5 million displaced internally and externally for no apparent reason to justify how beneficial would the war have been for the youths and all people of South Sudan.
Their (youths) failure to think positively has now wholesomely done more harm than good on South Sudan, and with its future only redirected in a new form if youths rethink big and know that they owe a great responsibility to their country because it belongs to them.
Nevertheless, I wish to extend my heartily message to all young people and people of South Sudan that our different cultural settings do not prohibit us from existing once again as a heterogeneous society. Though restoring hope for betterment of our country may be something with a far reaching impact, it is wise to let the bygones be bygones and youths have to come back to their normal senses.
Should they operate in the shadows and circles of misguided ideas of politicians when they as youths bear out their hope and responsibility for building South Sudan?
The writer is a student and can be reached via email; fergusonarol@gmail.com
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