OPTIMISM: IS THERE ANY HOPE TO HOPE FOR?
His Excellency, Salva Kiir Mayardiit, President of the Republic of South Sudan
His Excellency, Dr. Riek Machar, Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
His Excellency, Wani Igga, 2nd Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan.
By Ocholamero Otir Bure OROTO, Queensland, Australia
June 29, 2016 (SSB) — The Sudan People Liberation Movement & Army (SPLM/A) had done great work and valuable tasks to rescue South Sudanese from the tranny of Arabs’ government in the old Sudan. No one in South Sudan can pay any of the liberators for such a gift. I meant, no money can be enough as a token of appreciation to all the SPLM/A personnel who fought for the self determination of South Sudanese.
Allow me to bring to your attentions the following, as an ordinary concerned South Sudanese, who would like to see the best happens in this country.
The view that, dialogues is a tested means to resolve issues peacefully is a reality when people accept it, and I the writer is a proponent of peace through dialogue and reconciliation. But, in a society where it appears that the leaders make ordinary people feel like they are not listening, it is difficult to see any progress.
There is no hope! It has been for a while now that, people are regretting due to the fact that they voted for separation. Because, many have not experienced such insecurity and brutal killings of innocents civilians when the country was not divided.
It appears clearly that the current government have failed terribly under the leadership of SPLM/A in the provision of good life and security in the country. The sole purpose of leadership is to lead by good examples. If, it appears that the government leaders are messing the playing field for peace and reconciliation, it is a waste of time for ordinary people or communities at a grass root level to try their best in fostering peace and unity.
It is terribly sad to see how this country went from celebratory mode to the extreme mode of sorrows due to brutal killings in the hands of liberators! So to speak. Yes, South Sudanese need to create their own solutions, but, it is clear that the leaders and influential figures are not showing any interest to return the country back to peaceful situations any time sooner.
It seems there are many deceptive information and abuse of power is so rampant! How could such behaviour facilitate peace and reconciliation in a dysfunctional newly created states without the senses and spirit of nationalism? As leaders of the government and leaders of SPLM/A which is perceived to be the movement of the people, it is about time to work out what went wrong and work to correct it. In other words, identify the faults and correct them kindly.
It is the case in any given society that moral and ideological support can be given to the presiding leaders when they show interest and take visible actions that can give hope to the people. Otherwise, what is clear at the moment is that, under the current helpless situations, South Sudan will remain ‘a hell on earth’ for several years to come.
The answer to the truthful solutions to the current crisis is within reach, but, consciously or unconsciously it appears that the leaders are beating around the bush and not doing enough to solve the real issues.
The ordinary community members are ready to reconcile and most of them do not have any inter-tribal issues, but, the current situations had instilled or reconstruct deeper inter-tribal dislikes over the years.
Some questions deserves some thought among others:
- How could societal members change their minds when leaders are the factors of continuous mess?
- How can peace be implemented in such a situation?
The SPLM/A top leadership should wear the onus of the security failure and they are in a better position to act in a humane manner to reverse the country from the current crisis.
Considering the current SPLM/A, ideological malfunction, and what most South Sudanese and the rest of the world call as a failure, there is no HOPE to hope for! Because, who else should “we” the South Sudanese turn to for security and peace? It seems that South Sudan has become a deadly field of atrocities and unpredictable killings. Until further notice, there is no sign of peace in South Sudan due to the political unwillingness of the SPLM/A top leadership.
At present, there is no projection for peace. The only sign that is visible is more brutish killings in the land of deceptions, rampant continuous immorality and dehumanising acts. This is all what people are experiencing in the country not to forget the resultant effects of war like hunger-lack of food. How may will die of hunger this year alone? Just think about this and try to feel it.
Question 3. How could the situation in South Sudan be in 10, 15 or 20 or more years to come?
South Sudanese are yearning for peace. Taking the current trend in perspective, it is difficult to see peaceful co-existence and improved security in the near future. This means, SPLM/A will go in history as the worst movement known in the 21st Century. This will tarnish SPLM/A reputation for good. In other words, without taking steps to maintain peace and security in South Sudan, people will only remember SPLM/A for bad things and forget the many good that SPLM/A have done on aggregate.
Thus; there is no sense in concealing the reality on the ground. The problem of South Sudan is in the hands of those who control SPLM/A (the leaders and their associates who could influence good policies and return to the good mission of the movement). By the same token, SPLM/A as an entity under your leadership is the solutions to all these problems. Nothing more and nothing less.
The ordinary citizens can only and only help, when the leaders correct their errors of policies and correct their ideological mistakes and accept to correct themselves. Otherwise, they (the SPLM/A leadership) are running in cycles. That mean attaining peace will never be an easy work without the change of minds and hearts of the leaders who wield the power at the moment.
Tentative recommendations:
- Sudan People Liberation Movement and Army (SPLM/A) top leaderships (President Kiir, VP Dr. Riek, 2nd VP Wani Igga plus their associates need to urgently acts to curb this situations).
- The top leadership need to lead by examples and ensure the field is levelled for peace and reconciliation agenda to prevail. This will ensure peaceful dealings.
- Please re-visit, revise the SPLM/A manifestos and deliver to the people what you promised e.g., the justice, equality, freedom of communication and prosperity.
- Show people that the SPLM/A was, is and will be the movement of the people.
- Show the world that South Sudanese can and have the ability to govern themselves peacefully.
- Show people that South Sudanese are one people who struggled together and are willing to overcome this challenges collectively.
Excellency,
It is the case that, however slow the vehicle of peace is travelling, if it is travelling in the right directions, there will come a time when, the vehicle will reach the targeted destination.
The Sudan People Liberation Movement/Army, has the capability to steer this country toward peace within foreseeable future.
It is not too late to make a U-turn. I write to you out of concerns and out of love to see the Republic of South Sudan prevails and attain the values that you fought for over the course of your lives. South Sudanese will be extremely happy to see that your offices work toward the attainment of ‘Justice, Liberty and Prosperity’ for all.
Once again, SPLM/A under your leadership is the surest solutions to the current problems. Allow me to make this request; could you please shift the gear forward Mr. President, speed up and you have the supports of the concerned people to back you up in propelling the nation toward peace.
Therefore, is there any Hope to Hope for? Yes, there is! Mr. President, the hope is your collective efforts to attain peace. With that in mind, I wish you all the best, may our good South Sudanese ancestral spirits guide you to steer this nation in the direction leading to peace and progressive development.
Yours sincerely,
Ocholamero Otir Bure OROTO is a concerned South Sudanese E-mail: ocholamero.oroto@uqconnect.edu.au
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