South Sudan: The comfort of our Motherland
By Aphar Daniel Makur, Yirol, South Sudan
June 16, 2016 (SSB) — I would simply say dealing with the language issue is a part of the answer. Today practically every country in the world is multilingual, a situation that should be understood as a richness both at a national and as a personal level. And not managing fairly such linguistic diversity may cause feelings of grievances and injustice.
That means, at least, two dimensions. First, language is connected to the identity of the individuals, who should have their language rights protected in order to identify themselves with the country in a positive way. But language is also a crucial means of communication and therefore communicative efficiency may be needed in order to extend the sense of community beyond the language group to reach the whole country.
In order to achieve both aims, subsidiarity is a useful concept. In other words, a common language should be used to fulfill the functions local and minority languages do not already accomplish… whereas respect for cultural rights is necessary to build peace and unity in the country.
It’s also very vital to maintain peace and unity in the multi-ethnic and multi-religious country of south Sudan. With more than 64 ethnic tribes and various religious beliefs divided across geo-political lines of Muslim and Christian religious background, the nation’s unity is being woefully threatened by ethnocentrisms, sentiments and religious fanaticism.
The Following are some tips on how to maintain unity in South Sudan:
Sentiments Must Be Stopped: Sentiment is one of the major problems that are threatening the cause of unity and harmony in south Sudan. The war of words and tribal feuds are been squabbled by south Sudanese all over the country. We must stop making sweeping generalization on other ethnic tribes, and begin to reserve our emotions toward other ethnic groupings if peace and unity must reign in south Sudan.
Love: This is the bedrock of peace and oneness in a multi-cultural nation like south Sudan. South Sudanese of every race, gender, and religion should love and respect each other as one family. We should learn to love our fellow countrymen. If we’re challenged by a problem, we should round ourselves on a negotiating table and not to dwell in finger-pointing and wicked sentiments. If we love and adore ourselves as south Sudanese, peace and unity will forever thrive in our country.
Sense of Brotherhood: This is very important not only in maintaining unity in south Sudan, but in upholding peace and tranquility among south Sudanese. South Sudanese should regard all and sundry as one. Parents at home and teachers in school should orient the kids about the importance of equality. Let the south Sudanese people know that they belong to one family. The notion of “we” vs. “them” must be stopped for south Sudanese to stay stronger, safer and more united.
Lock Your Religion in Your Closet: Religion is a good thing, but its practice. Should be private only between you and your God on whom you believe. Its practice should be within the confines of your church or mosque; your home and your family. We should learn to leave our religion at our homes and not try to carry it along and enforce it in our public square.
Massive Enlightenment, to maintain peace and unity in south Sudan, massive enlightenment must ensued. The Government must step in to enlighten the general public, especially the ignorant and illiterate population about unity and peaceful co-existence among the citizenry, with the central theme of equality and oneness. This can be relayed through the channels of media so as to reach the massive population.
In conclusion therefore, South Sudan was built on the foundations of tolerance and solidarity. As south Sudanese, we should uphold the south Sudanese dream of unity in diversity and stay strong, peaceful, and united despite the bitter challenges that are facing us today.
APHAR DANIEL MAKUR is a freelance writer who writes on different forte. Can be reach @ apharmakurmaker@gmail.com.
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