Turning Australia into Kakuma Refugee Camp: Some bitter truth for South Sudanese in the Diaspora
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South Sudanese youth at a local dance
By Mariak Michael, Juba, South Sudan
Tuesday, November 12, 2019 (PW) — This article was originally posted on my Facebook account as a blunt response to a combative commentator who got agitated by the title, but this unsparing piece has gained unexpected readership so far. So, I have been urged to edit and re-construct it to serve the interest of the wider readership since the issues I have touched are generally relevant.
While I have received enormous positive feedback from readers, I have also been stoned some by a few pseudo-intellectuals for attempting to point out some deep issues facing south Sudanese immigrants specifically in the western hemisphere. These issues range from the so-called ‘‘culture shock’’, inability to adapt to western civilizations and politics like the rest of African immigrants as well as the tragedy of toxic community politics—and its effect back home.
Like everyone else, I have family and friends abroad and that should be enough to show how much I respect South Sudanese in the diaspora, but there are some people who are fanning toxic politics back home. And need reminding why they are there.
It is no secret that South Sudanese, in general, are the most unproductive group of immigrants in the Western Hemisphere. Unlike Somalis, Kenyans, Ugandans, and Nigerians, South Sudanese immigrants are likely to fight among themselves whenever they find themselves in any given country or agitate their host community.
Such unproductive and violent culture was witnessed in Khartoum in the 1990s until the 2000s where most youth from Dinka and Nuer tribes particularly resorted to gang violence, instead of working hard like Nubians and Darfurians.
I also referred to Kakuma Refugee Camp because of its obvious history for those who were there. The Camp which was meant for protection, education, and resettlement of refugees was turned into bloodbath along tribal lines among South Sudanese, forgetting that they fled from death from their home.
In that camp, South Sudanese youth started killing themselves mercilessly instead of focusing on studies or establishing small businesses like Ethiopians and Somalians who were also in the same camp as refugees.
They also fought with the Turkanas, the host community. All these tragic events are primarily caused by hostile community association politics, lack of productivity and as well as some minor social issues which could be resolved through dialogue.
As they say, “An idle mind is a devil’s workshop.” Even in Cairo, Egypt, in 2019, South Sudanese youth are slaughtering each other with Pangas while conspiring with unscrupulous doctors to mine organs from their fellow youth.
The same violent and unproductive culture that makes some youth to refuse small work but wants respect and leadership was exported not only to Australia, but also to the USA, and the UK.
Unlike other immigrants, South Sudanese, wherever, they are mostly like to spend much time on community association politics than setting up businesses either back home or working hard (often suffering from culture shock) to fully integrate into western politics and be respected like the rest.
I don’t know if it is our inherent cultural rigidity that makes it nearly impossible for some to integrate and adapt to a new environment and civilization. But that’s something to think about. It is rare to see a South Sudanese running for Congress or important public office in the west instead they’re making headlines in Egypt and Australia because of gang violence etc. Is this what they went there for?
In Australia, South Sudanese are pointing fingers at what they called ‘’White Media’’ for polarizing the community and portraying the South Sudanese community in a bad light. Are they the only black race in that country? It is inexcusable, to say the least when it is obvious that some South Sudanese parents don’t look after their children.
How else can we justify the failure of South Sudanese when their community association leadership is engulfed in a power struggle and their case has reached the desk of the Victorian High court.
Why are South Sudanese migrants the only nationality with resettlement problems in every country they settle in? And before anyone try to justify these problems or treat it as normal, name any other nationality that is engaged in such divisive community politics?
Facebook live shows: this platform has been abused by some diasporas in an attempt to express their opinions but we end being suffocated with the wave of hate and division, yet they forget that their influence on current affairs back home can be both severe and positive; however it is always severe.
The fact is that any little disagreement in the diaspora quickly spreads down to their villages within a day. The role of the diaspora is not to engage in divisive village politics back home but they have a huge responsibility to speak with uniting tones because as much as their views are controversial, they matter and often, treated with high regard by their people.
Again, my point was not to ‘disqualify their hard work’ as some may think, but I was simply reminding some of them of their good opportunities to do better and contribute positively toward their community development as they have done since the liberation days. We have a few good ones with academic education and intellect but not all of them. Key Word ‘Intellect’.
And before some of you become activists, political tribal scientists, or spokespersons of your communities, always remember, whatever we are facing here at home war or peace, cannot be solved from or by diaspora through Facebook or phone calls.
However, if you take advantage of those opportunities, and educate yourself, you might be the next guardians of peace, liberty, and the abundant future of the Republic of South Sudan.
Mariak Michael is a Journalist based in Juba, South Sudan. He can be reached at mamingdit05@gmail.com
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