The state of communal violence and the way forward in South Sudan
The state of communal violence and its impact on the vulnerable citizens.
By Jok Kuol Deng, Juba, South Sudan
Thursday, June 25, 2020 (PW) — South Sudan news has become synonymous with communal violence, that the journal world has very little to report on the impacts/ progress of the partially formed Transitional Government of National Unity, latest evidence to this was the resignation of Mabior Garrangfrom the position of Deputy Interior Minister, who in his letter stated that National insecurity had heightened more than ever.
The spread of which is sporadic (Laskes, Jur River area (Western Bahr el Ghazal), Twic and Tonj areas in (Warrap), Mayom (Unity) and Bor and Pibor in Jonglei) with the youth at the center stage in what the Report of the commission on Human Rights in South Sudan , has dubbed ‘localized conflicts’ with over 500 South Sudanese deaths and tens of thousands of IDPs since 2018
One would suggest this is perhaps due to the absence of state administrators, but with the latest break through in the allocation of states announced by the minister in the president’s office last week. we hope competent, credible and impartial governors shall be appointed by their respective factions with the appropriate priorities.
Of which their appointments would be legitimized by how fast they squash the issue of guns in the hands of civilians and how they bring about order, justice and reconciliation in their respective states, an utmost prerequisite for sustainable peace and national economic development.
Some of the root causes of communal conflicts are Cattleraiding and other resource conflicts, Land and boundary disputes, Revenge attacks, Mounting ethnic hatredperpetuated by political rhetoric, High ranking officials exploiting or exacerbating the prevailing communal issues for their political gain.
Human Rights Watch
Although the more complex conflicts require government intervention of the highest authority & dedication, a proactive multi dimensional and multi-stakeholderapproach involving among others development partners, community and civil society organizations are highly necessary in overcoming the plague of communal violence.
In that they are they posses the needed skills, reach and resources to bring people together for a common cause through their grass root initiatives.
However to extrapolate any tailor made solutions, it’s quite challenging for victims of communal violence to put their guns down and much more so for the culprits of such repugnance to indulge in any disarmament activities what’s so ever.
Therefore culprits must first be adjudicated for any genuine truce to be had within these communities, not to mention how such amount of firepower can easily reach the communities needs addressing too, but! only by the highest authorities in the country.
Whichever way one looks at the state of communal conflicts and the youth predicament in it, it’s not rocket science to conclude that this vicious circle can be addressed through a collective effort, but far most is the need for political will and security discipline at the very top to restrict the flow of arms to the states.
And only then! Can the fleeing; absolute despair and fear not to mention senseless loss of South Sudanese lives get an opportunity for salvation and prosperity.
In the mean time, I kindly urge the youth involved or not to call for truce and an end to communal violencewherever they are, for the future belongs to them and their children.
Let’s fight COVID-19, Poverty, disunity, climate change and other diseases.
The author, Jok Kuol, is the founder and executive director of Ebony Youth Organization (www.eyossudan.org) and can be reached on abbeba@live.com.
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