David Nyuol: How I am Contributing to a Better South Sudan
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David Nyuol Vincent, Juba, South Sudan
Wednesday, June 10, 2020 (PW) — We are somehow guilty of all or one of these tenacious acts. I know I am! Nonetheless whether you are guilty or not I think a good question to ask oneself is, do any of my actions (what I say, write or do) contribute negatively to what is happening in South Sudan?
I would like to outline some of the things we all do knowingly or unknowingly to contribute to the failing state of our beloved country. I do not expect you to act on any of these nor am I accusing anyone directly of anything.
So, here we go…
Of course, Facebook tops the list! Mark Zuckerberg and his college friends on founding it never thought nor intended for Facebook to be used for all sort of things as we have seen today. At the time of its inception, its sole purpose was to connect friends and families which it did brilliantly at first but as it developed we have witnessed that that is no longer the case – started by Mark himself, he is now filthy rich, a self-made billionaire at the expense of you and I.
Families are breaking, hate and provocation is spreading, false information is given, bullying is leading to suicide for some of our young ones, the list goes on and on. Surely, you all see how Facebook is impacting on our social and political lives in South Sudan. I can only imagine how much precious time is wasted on Facebook each day on a lot of unconstructive things.
On this one, I would like to say, I left Facebook immediately in December of 2013 and it is the best decision I have ever made, so, not guilty!
Corruption
The pride of all South Sudanese traditions and cultures are embedded in its core values of honesty and truth telling, among others. Well, at least I thought so. There are different forms of corruption. I know when you hear the word “corruption,” your mind runs straight to fraudulenceand embezzlement of public funds by our leaders.
That is the most obvious way of looking at itthough. I see corruption in every little thing we do today – I may not directly steal any public funds, but I may have participated in various forms of corruption, even if it is as minute as a dealing withfriends or family that ended in my favour. Do you think you are enabling this behaviour? Yes, I know I am guilty!
Do you know who I am?
My late father (Mr. Vincent) was a low-key guy until he died in April of 2016 – may Alah rest his soul. He was not a general in the army nor a ministerand I do not have a close uncle at the top so I will never know the privilege the children of these big men and women in South Sudan enjoy.
For these spoiled brats – (oops sorry) the code word is – do you know who I am? Well, if you are poor fella like me and you hear this, run brother – run! These are the people above the law in South Sudan. They act indiscriminately with impunity. Their fathers, mothers and uncles fought the civil war and therefore it is their turn to eat.
No wonder why it is a trend now days to start a revolutionary. This one, it is a no for me. I am not guilty of using this code word – but my friends have used it in my presence, does that count me as guilty for standing aside and watching them gain favours like this?
Tribalism
I had to look it up again to be sure what it means, and this is what it says – Tribalism. “In popular culture, tribalism may also refer to a way of thinking or behaving in which people are loyal to their social group above all else, or, derogatorily, a type of discrimination or animosity based upon group differences.”
Let me start by saying, I am guilty! Yes, I see many incidents in which I have indeed acted tribally.
Do you remember the House of Nationalities initiative? I think this initiative would have promoted the good of our languages, cultures and tribes which are the makeup of our beautiful South Sudan. At least we can agree that tribalism is the problem, not the tribes.
Nepotism
Let me try to be diplomatic here – to hell with diplomacy man, let me just say it outright and raw. Knock on any door in the state or national offices and you will be staring right in the face of nepotism. Oh my, did I just say that? I hope this will not land me into trouble, but the truth must be said.
On a serious note though, the so-called organisations (NGOs) whether national or international are the worst pretenders. Your meritscan never land you a job in South Sudan. It is a land of who you know rather than what you know. This needs very serious investigation.
Definitely, Iam not guilty of this one – proof; my brother has been looking for work for the last three years after finishing his studies in social work in a University in Kenya and is still looking. If I had the means he would be working now. By the way he is a bright and intelligent fella, but he will keep walking door to door because we do not have any relative at the top – this is a raw reality!
Availability of firearms in the hands of unauthorised civilians
Okay, jokes aside here, this is profoundly serious!The inter communal conflicts are increasing as we have witnessed recently in Jonglei, Lakes, Upper Nile and Warrap states and this can be attributed to the availability of firearms in the hands of unauthorised youth.
With a well-designed disarmament program, you could cut by half the problems in South Sudan. You know I know what I am talking about here because for the last threemonths I have been working with the cattle camp youth in defunct Western Lakes states. These young men are ready to give up arms, but they do not trust the system to protect them and their properties.
For this, I am not guilty – I do not own a gun and the last time I fired a gun was all the way back in 1994.
Unknown gun man/men
My mother once asked me, this ‘unknown gun man’ I keep hearing about, how connected is he? Why is it taking this long to catch him? Well, of course my mother cannot read or write so I had to explain what this phrase means.
After explaining she was like, oh okay! The list of innocent people who are killed by this unknown gun man is growing. If one case is investigated successfully it will give people hope and will scare the unknown gun men but hey after all they are unknown gun men.
I am not guilty of this and I know no unknown gun man will be reading this as well, so I am totally safe – phew! Hang on, who knows these killings are carried out by unknown gun men? Has it ever occurred to you that it could be an unknown gun woman? – just saying…
The so call “intellectuals”
This is one word that I wish to delete in all dictionaries – I hate it! These (intellectuals) congregate at tea places politicking and destroying our country in the process. Yes, I am talking about you and I and while I am at it, let me warn all you, sugar is not good for you.
What is funny is, ministers, governors, commissioners and payamadministrators are appointed and fired under these trees and makeshift coffee and tea places – this is how powerful we are. We are the problem and if you are reading this now it is proof you are part of this so-called group of intellectuals.
Please, cut back and put to good use the years you havespent cramming these books, and not forgetting the trouble your parents, relatives or guardians have gone through to pay your fees. The years we have spent in various institutions should count for something – at least something positive. Yes – I am guilty!
Diasporas
This is where I will be chewed alive but hey, I still insist that the truth must be said. But first let me give dues where it belongs – without the diaspora,South Sudan civil population would suffer, at least those with relatives in diaspora. The diaspora contributes millions each year boosting the economy of South Sudan.
I have lived in Australia for over fifteen years and since then I have been sending money home. But again, we (the diaspora) are so destructive and dangerous – First Vice President call us, the keyboard warriors. Honestly, the war we fight online is far more dangerous than those who are fighting it on the ground.
Let me not forget the monthly contributions we make, and God knows what they end up being used for. I bet you can not wait to finish reading this so you can hop on the computerto insult me – sorry my friend I will not be able to read what you will say about me but feel free to say it to my face when we run into each other. Oh yes, I am guilty here too.
Alcohol
I will not say much here but this is a killer!
Sorry mother I am going to rat you out here. My mother used to cook this illicit drink – (some call it Ciko, Aregi or changaa) to put food on the table. No excuse, alcohol is destroying our youth – alcohol plus an AK47 equals disaster! I have witnessed so many incidents that went bad because those involved were intoxicated.
Minus the alcohol I am sure they would have handled the situation differently. Oh, here not guilty. I do not drink but I would like to apologise on behalf of my mother, who knows how many of her customers back then went home and did unspeakable things.
Polygamy
With multiple families comes huge responsibility and at one point you may have to do whatever it takes to put food on the table – do you see where I am going with this? If you cannot, then hurry and catch up…let me move on.
My late father once told me, “son, if you want to live longer and you do not want stress then nevermarry more than one wife.” Let me be straight heretoo, my father has two wives – my mother plus one. There is a story behind how he got marriedthe second time. What I hate is how he was manipulated but I do not have any problem withhis 2nd wife.
How he got married is a story for another day. Seriously, at least get married to multiple wives if you can raise them kids with your own resources. This is one culture that we must assess and get rid of. I have one beautiful wife and so I am not guilty here – but man, I am in deep trouble. I know so many friends with two plus wives.
I hope you got it – this was a semi-serious and light-hearted commentary. Please do not crucify me it was just for laugh.
David Nyuol Vincent is South Sudanese Australian and the author of his memoir, The Boy Who Wouldn’t Die, published in 2012. He can be reached via his email address: davidnvincent@fastmail.fm
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