What has become of South Sudan Civil Society Alliance?
By Malith Alier, Juba, South Sudan
July 22, 2016 (SSB) — This is the first time in years and months and after the depose of the former Chairman of the Alliance, Deng Athuai Mawiir that the Alliance organised such rally against proposed African Union intervention force for South sudan.
This author predicted in an article published in 2014 with the title, South Sudan Civil Society Alliance: When an Apology is no Apology; that the incoming Alliance leadership would not be up to the task after the departure of the first chair mentioned above.
Deng Athuai Mawiir was a latter day Dr. John Garang de Mabior when it comes to articulating rights of the civil society compared to the current leadership. The present Alliance had abandoned the norms and principles it supposed to stand for.
If anyone agrees with the government of the day many times then, that person or organisation is an extension of the very government. The behaviour of the current alliance after Mr. Mawiir is consistent with the government position on every aspect of it. Now the alliance is questioning the AU and IGAD proposal to send troops to South Sudan after the Juba July 8th debacle (Bad Friday).
The IGAD/AU/UN is my brother’s keeper! In the olden days, Cairn was asked by God of whereabouts of his brother, Abel. “Cairn, where is your brother?” “Am I my brother’s keeper?” Cairn replied.
The civil Society alliance should have asked the government about the circumstances that caused renewed fighting in Juba and other parts of this country? Despite half-formation of TGoNU – only executive is formed so far, parliament run by those who should have handed it over to the new leadership as per ARCSS.
In June and July, fighting intensified in Wau, Kajo-keji, Lanya, Torit and other parts over the watch of TGoNU.
The Alliance should have instead defended the Constitution by asking the government to free The Juba Monitor Editor, Alfred Taban from custody or produce him before the court of law. The reasons for his arrest are vague and frivolous in the first place. It is ironic that those who committed crimes against the state, against humanity and war crimes are roaming freely Juba. Some ate holding high level positions in TGoNU and that is the real impunity allowed in the country. Where is the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS)?
It is within the constitution for individuals or groups to question the government of the day about happenings that threaten national security and existence. The Alliance should have asked the government to bring to book the thugs who looted the Jebel Market and WFP stores in the same area. The alliance should have demonstrated against rampant corruption in the country. The alliance should have demonstrated against lack of implementation of various legislations by the government.
Two other pertinent matters which should have come to the focus of the Alliance are deteriorating economic outlook and high unemployment which is driving youth to take up arms such as the arrow Boys in western Equatoria. The Alliance should have done better than this.
Public rallies should have wider appeal and be meaningful to the greater public and the world at large. Furthermore, public rallies should not be one sided. I have seen in this country, only pro-government rallies. Anti-government ones are limited for reasons known to organisers. This in itself makes a mockery of the prevalent rallies. A democratic government allows citizens to freely express satisfaction and dissatisfaction on equal footing and under the law.
You can reach the author via his email: Aljok Deng <alierjokdeng@gmail.com>
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