How long would South Sudan population remain hostage to internal conflict?
By Ring Mayar, Canberra, Australia
November 20, 2016 (SSB) — After Jieng, Nuer and Equatoria Council of Elders reconciliatory meeting. South Sudan people pleads for wisdom to prevail. People caught between an instincts to fight back, and an instinct to flee their ancestors’ birthplace. An instinct that entrusted South Sudan leaders to stop violence and to bring about a lasting peace for the people in the country.
These leaders are very people who guided and foresaw the independence of South Sudan. These are leaders whose sacrifices cannot be measured or dismissed regardless of the current internal conflict. Leaders I desperately appeal today – to understand the important of a peaceful country.
As South Sudan conclude the fourth year of civil unrest, with Riek Machar out of sight, and the government is consolidating its grip of power. A relative calm return to some parts of the country, from my perspective. This is a golden opportunity for the people of South Sudan and the leadership in the office to engage in honest and transparent dialogue for peace to prevail in the country.
Most moderating voices like myself are not listen to by South Sudan leaders. I loss several relatives in the past wars with Sudan-Arabs and I continue to lose more as the war continue to range on – between South Sudanese brothers. Without concrete and tangible solution brought forth by South Sudan’s leaders to reconcile the fragmented communities in the country – particularly, the Dinka, the Nuer and the people of Equatorial region.
Many observers would attest that communal conflict will persists to haunt the country until a viable solution is tabled. And communities in conflict to be brought together in the round table for truth and reconciliation in South Sudan. Then, a lasting peace agreement could be achieve.
Anti-President Kiir Mayardit leadership believe that the ousting of the current leadership would pave the way for peaceful and democratic country. Such utopian and wishful thinking quickly fade way as pro-Riek Machar, rebel leader, insists on their leader reinstalment as the alternative leader to replace the incumbent President. Similarly, siting government in Juba may think that absent of rebel Riek Machar nearby, give them the luxury to be oblivious to important issues for government to address.
I have such dilemma, thinking that the absent of either leaders would bring South Sudanese together to reconcile and move on to build their young country. I was wrong and possibly underestimated the mammoth task waiting South Sudan leaders to resolve. But I would strongly urge South Sudan government to bring to most affected areas by war in Upper Nile region, rehabilitated people’s lives, farmland, waterways and provide peaceful environment (schools, health, markets, recreational activities for youth and women) for most affecting people.
I still believe that South Sudan two biggest tribes can steer out their country from the endless swirling loop of civil conflict. As South Sudanese, we must commit to helping our leaders to pursue public interest and peaceful coexistent among people. In reciprocal, South Sudanese leaders, are expected to serve and protect the people they are working for. Also they must deliver on the tasks that the public entrusted them to accomplish.
Few days ago, such opportunity presented itself to South Sudanese leaders. When three Council of Elders (Jieng, Nuer and Equatorians) convened for an important Conference in South Sudan capital –Juba to discuss way forward to resolve crisis in the country.
I would ask every South Sudanese to be patient with the Council of Elders efforts to bring peace to our people. A peace, we are all desperately searching for. Do not give up or abandon anyone from peace process, even if you differ with those you never agree with in many issues. South Sudan need us all, we must uplift each another without excluding anyone from peaceful processes. We must all dragged ourselves into to confront issues hurt us all. We must all understand that all South Sudanese are the beacon and the source for hope and peace.
We must accept our failures and be frank with country dire situation. Let’s us acknowledge our mistakes and ignorance which made South Sudan to be killing field. We must speak with one voice of peace and better future for all without exclusion of others. Sure, we will be in good hands, of the next generation future’s leaders, who would provide effective and conclusive leadership. A leaders who would denounced misguided tribal isolationism and governance misadventures.
Today, I reach out to you all my fellow South Sudanese. With you whom I grown have grown to be a proud South Sudanese citizen and closest friend to you regardless of your tribe or gender. I write this piece for you to reconsider your bitter stand with current government or your dissatisfaction with the armed group fighting government. I am not certain, whether what you have read on this piece or elsewhere make sense to you or not.
But, South Sudanese people are whipsaw between an almost calm kind of our people resignation in UNIMISS camps, the frenzied fear on the faces of one ethnic group fleeing fear of slaughters in Yei – Juba Road, and the immense despair which overwhelmed majority in the country. I kindly ask you to let go the unforgettable, reconcile and forgive for a peaceful and prosperous South Sudan.
I know that, one day we all would live together Dinka, Nuer and Equatorian happily – joyfully – serve our country fully with our blood. We must equally value each other’s live, even in the mid of the most difficult times in South Sudan history – South Sudan cannot afford to continue spilling the blood of its citizens.
Ultimately, we will continue to listen to difficult individuals and respect their views for the sake peace; and we would ask our brothers in other spectrum to hear us too.
Ring Mayar is a National Security Policy student at the Australian National University. He can be reached via the following email: naydiet@yahoo.com.au
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