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It is Preposterous to Cow the Minister to Reverse Her Decision on Dissolving NYU

5 min read

By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan


National Youth leaders – (From left to right) Dr. Albino Bol (NYU leader), Deng Bol Aruai (Red Army leader) and Abraham Awolich (Sudd institute), January 2017, Juba

Friday, April 26, 2019 (PW) — Hot on the heels of the dissolution of the NYU whose term has elapsed and the subsequent appointment of the steering committee led by Mr Bak Salva to prepare for the election of the new body (vide Ministerial Order); there have been some disgruntled and bigoted social media users who have been ranting to have their voices or grievances heard without a semblance of shame.

They consist of two groups mainly our cousins from Greater Bahr el Ghazal states; those in favour and against the former President of the NYU. These Youth are sharply divided as can be seen from the venom they have been spitting in the media against one another; they have taken it upon themselves to settle their scores using the position of the NYU as a Trojan horse by stirring up the situation and calling themselves names with some even questioning the legality of the Ministerial Order.

The other ethnic groups are quite and have become only spectators. With all that born in mind, there are pertinent questions that need to be posed and would beg answers to the satisfaction of all. Why is the issue of the NYU taken to become a one tribe affairs knowing well that the country is inhabited by 64 tribes?

Are these youth wanting to insinuate that it is their birthrights to hold that position? Do they want to confirm that it is their tribe that controls the economy and politics and to prove what is being fallaciously said of one tribe hegemony? 

Is it only in that part of the country that there are qualified Youth and eligible candidates to fill that position?

I can read between the lines that these Youth who support somebody already fired are in fact against the State and toil round the clock for its eventual downfall .They are decampaigning the Head of State which we shall not allow to happen under our watch. This has got to be very clear and must be resisted head-on should any body or group move towards that.

Those who call for the former leader to be reinstated is a show of contempt and and disrespect to the Hon Minister of Youth, Culture and Sport; something which have never been heard of. I am being tempted to believe that there is nothing that makes courageous those who challenged the decision of the Minister apart from the fact that she is seen in the way I know and them know. She doesn’t come from home and considered as somebody just favoured and doesn’t have civic rights.

Can these Youth attempt with any other Minister, a tribesman or a woman and would expect to get away with it without casualties in any form? This country is bigger than all of us. The Youth forms the nucleus of any society. They need not be divided, used for cheaper selfish political gains and encouraged to lock horns over trivial matters with themselves. It is time for us to unite as our unity is our strength.

I am happy with some of my trusted friends who see the truth and support the ministerial decision. They are patriots and nationalists. I vow to stand with them thick and thin to defend and support the Minister and by extension the President.

I call on my fellow youths all over South Sudan to let go of the past, prepare a conducive environment and ground for the election to be held and if it is won by Bak or whoever, there will be no qualms. What is it that the former President of the NYU has forgotten to do during his tenure for him to claim that he is still the rightful leader of the NYU?

Having read the Ministerial Order and other voices; his failures surpassed his successes. Does that need to be disputed given the legion of reasons we all saw with our naked eyes? In brief, I just want to categorically tell my brother whose term has expired to accept the decision of the Minister, congratulate her for the time they spent working together, the trust vested in him and wish the new committee well in their future endeavors.

I would also encourage him to try his luck by lobbying for any other job in the next government. He has all it takes to occupy any position.

The decision of the Hon Minister is a fait accompli although we are hearing on the grapevine that there are big fishes leaning on the power centre who want to cow the Minister into reversing her decision and reinstate the Former Leader; if true, it is setting a bad precedent and it would only be a back-door politicking; that must stop!

The author, Pal Chol Nyan, is a Graduate from the College of Radiological Medical Sciences from Sudan University of Sciences and Technology. He also holds a Diploma in Teaching Methodology and a Diploma in General Medical Sciences. He was a red army soldier, a former Primary school teacher, currently serving as a General Medical Practitioner in Juba Teaching Hospital in Juba, South Sudan. He is a columnist with local newspapers in Juba/South Sudan and contributes in many websites about social, security and economic. You can reach him via his email: palcholnyan2016@gmail.com

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