A Call for a deeper thinking: The danger of sustaining inter-tribal hatred in the nation
By Ocholamero Otir Bure, Australia
June 8, 2016 (SSB) — It is obvious that the traumas and the complexities of the situation in South Sudan are messing up with the ability to think clearly. We have been suffering for too long. It should be clear that South Sudanese are the effective solutions to the problems facing them. As recent as May 2016, I came across an article entitled “Dinka community members say targeted on Equatorials roads” (Sudan Tribune Sunday, 22 May 2016). This is just adding to the already existing fear and tendency for some people to keep on viewings people from other tribes as potential enemies.
In a decent society such incidents can be followed up and police would have deal with it according to the law of the land. However, since, South Sudan is on reverse gear as far as good governance and good policing is concerned, it is really painful to read and hear such atrocities taking place in the nation with no sign of government taking sustainable steps. Most of the steps heard no news taken by the government seems to be provoking citizens than resolving the issues sustainably.
By sustainable steps, I meant measures that could stop or prevent such killing from taking placing and measures that will be peace and harmony. The numbers of preventable deaths are so rampant in South Sudan. That make it so sad to read most news because, South Sudanese are bombarded with bad news 24hrs and 7 days week. Like any other concerned South Sudanese, I would like to appeal for the government of the day to look in to such situation pro-actively, fairly and in a manner that will stop this from happening. This can be done by identifying the problems at the root and resolving it.
It is not about sending armies to shot civilians randomly hoping to get rid of the situations. If people’s values are affected, the best approach is to reach out with open hands, open hearts, open minds, open ears and dialogue to understand the motivation behind the actions. Government is the only entity that can initiate such move. It should be noted that there is always reasons for any actions and any source of conflict can be properly resolved by dialogue. Killing after killing will never bring a better solution, because retaliatory killing tend to dig deeper hatred.
Recommendation:
There is a need for inter communal honest dialogue without fear and favour and government plus other able institutions should work to facilitated this. Just because one is holding grievances toward the president and other core figures in the country who are from Dinka tribe DOES NOT NECESSARY mean that every single Dinka is automatically bad.
Generally, the negative tendency of regionalism where people views each other as enemies due to the inherited hatred is dangerous and will keep the country in reverse gear for long time. Government need to improve the national security over any things else. This requires a fair and just policing and trusted judiciary system to operate well.
Governmental leaders and their respective advisors should be weary of their manipulative behaviour decisions that are obvious to their subjects. Citizens are watching and following all the good and the bad things taking place in the country. Thus; government leaders should lead by good example and aim to leave good legacy not a bad one. South Sudanese should take time to question some of the myths which have shallowed the nation or which are chewing the nation like a cancer. E.g., why should some people from one tribe hate others from other tribes, why can’t people learn to resolves issues peacefully?
In conclusion, the solutions to the complex national trauma affecting the nation currently are in the hands of the current government’s leaders. Concerned citizens also have part to play. Indeed, changing our attitude should be a major national project with urgency. Speaking the truth should prevail over lies and fabrications. Proper dialogue will pave ways for understanding which in turn is a foundation for national peace and reconciliation.
Let us promote peace and act peacefully while we work toward effective peace and nation building during this turbulent period. May the good ancestral spirit of all the tribes in South Sudan guide South Sudanese leaderships in improving security for the whole welfare of the nation. May peace prevail over violence of any kind.
The author, Ocholamero Otir Bure Oroto, is a concerned citizen of South Sudan who can be reached via his email: ocholamero.oroto@uqconnect.edu.au
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