Will the euphoria of TGoNU overshadow the May 16th commemorations?
4 min readBy Akuoch Chol Akuoch, Juba, South Sudan
April 30, 2016 (SSB) —– South Sudan is in wild celebratory mood. The return of the rebel icon, Dr. Riek Machar Teny and his subsequent inauguration as the country’s first vice president has revived hopes. It safely, and may be effectively put to an end the debilitating and decimating civil war that has engulfed this nation for over two years.
Citizens have reasons to celebrate. This war brought untold suffering to the most innocent of all; the aged died a merciless deaths, the children orphaned at a very tender age or even got killed, the sick left at the mercy of death without the doctors to attend to, and horrific accounts of rapes on innocent women including underage girls. The few infrastructure that the government had put up over the last decade have been despicably flattened, especially in the towns of the greater upper Nile. Millions are displaced and made homeless internally and others internationally, these people have been promised a safe return in the trusteeship of the TGoNU. There are surely more than enough reasons to celebrate the end of this war.
While it is only natural to celebrate, I believe our celebrations must now focus on the coming two weeks. It has been years since the South Sudanese celebrate and commemorate the iconic 16th, May properly. Is the TGoNU actually aware and panning for this event? This day has really been casualized and made to appear ordinarily like a weekend or simply a non-working day! This is so serious because in the past it had been postponed for any other suitable date.
The TGoNU doesn’t unite the country the same way the 16th of May does .TGoNU is a government of interest of few politicians.it is not for all politicians. It is not even a government of 28 States and therefore indirectly is a government of convenience while 16th may is day for all South Sudanese. A day of unity, a day for common cause and aspirations, a day for the oppressed, and a day for the neglected. A day for thanksgiving and remembrance of those who sacrificed not for their benefits but for the nation.
To commemorate this day will not require a handsome budget like the TGoNU,rather it is the ugliest of all budgets! It is also possible that it could be done without any money. Why not? We used to celebrate it without a cent while we were in the bush. What is it that needs money, is it the few chairs for top creams? Is it the late night party (parties)? We just need to pay respect to the unsung multitude of heroes and heroines, this doesn’t requires money.
This day could also be the official introduction day for the TGoNU to South Sudanese masses. I wish our president think this way! A day to publicly take oath and swear by the name of the heroes and heroines that there would be no more war and suffering in our baby nation.
If Dr. Machar needs a rally then this is the golden opportunity to say hi to his fellow citizens and may be mumble a word or two about his being sorry for this senseless war.so that he made it known that this war is not a South Sudanese war but a war of turf for the goodies of throne.
A historic date or day always remained historic. It cannot be altered, ignored or trivialized whatever the prevailing situations in the country. I don’t need to remind anybody that this day means a lot to our martyrs, and it makes them turn satisfactorily in their graves(although not buried) to see junubiin come together and acknowledge that some of their efforts were in real meaning sacrificial.
It is therefore very crucial and incumbent upon the TGoNU, to start immediately the preparation for this very important event in our journey to statehood. Trivializing the meaning of this day will only offend the dead, it will also trivializes the foundation of SPLM. Because everyone always take great pride and respect for their birthday! Was SPLM not borne on 16th, may 1983? Can you push your birthday to another date?
Isaac Akuoch Chol Akuoch is a freelance South Sudanese Writer, he can be reached via akuochishakho@yahoo.com
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