South Sudan: Why can’t we decide our own affairs?
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Pal Chol Nyan, South sudanese Political Analyst and Commentator
By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan
Friday, October 02, 2020 (PW) — Still on the topic of rebellious activities, it has been well established that rebellion has become one of the most lucrative business in Africa. People rebel or call for reforms when they feel oppressed, suppressed or denied basic services.
The intention is, more often than not, to change the guards and the trick has worked in some places. When those who instigated changes get into the office, they tend to he worse than those toppled. We have living examples .
Rebellion grants opportunities, privileges and jobs to the disgruntled politicians or army commanders regardless of the needed qualifications.
After fighting any war of “liberation”, the foes sit down; agreements are signed; transitional period is and a time-frame for elections are set; they become lip-service because once the agreed period is over, another violence erupts; a password coined to consolidate the power grip.
Rebellion has become a passcode used by politicians and their commanders to prolong their legitimacy and stay in power to the detriment of and against the will of the hoi polloi.
In the context of South Sudan, the government of the day is run by the same comrades of 2005 with a bit of political decorations from other satellite parties and the turn-coats who sing the praises with the power centre.
What is happening in Juba is a classic example of former rebels who shot themselves to power via CPA, ARCISS and so and so forth. The calls for reforms is now a crime and the state of affairs is about who gets what.
The prophets and psedo-advocates of reforms are the ones calling the shots when it comes to wealth and power.
Most of them are well connected; they carry expensive gadgets, drive latest models of cars and have their meals in the most expensive hotels and restaurants. They are the elites who say it is their inalienable right to eat and take as much as they can without any fear of accountability.
They feast and merry while the ordinary citizens are starving to death and civil servants have forgotten about their salaries; even if they get the salaries, it doesn’t meet their requirements because the highest paid in this government get 5$ which doesn’t come on time as I said earlier.
The lucky citizens eat Egyptian beans, okra and kisra along the roads which they wash down with tea and coffee at higher prices.
The ordinary South Sudanese have become suspects who are being spied upon by people who were once their close associates because it is a business to some in order to gossip to eat.
Once you have a divergent opinion about the government of the day, you are potential client of the house where pieces of informations are extorted by all means; you know what I mean. We took up arms in 1983 to be free in all spheres. Is that the case now ?
It is a contradiction that the helpless citizens are threatened for trying to claim their basic rights as enshrined in the constitution of South Sudan. The truth shall triumph no matter how long it takes.
South Sudanese ordinary citizens are not enemies; it is the politicians who divide them. They use them to fight their wars of power. This time, it will be a different case altogether. We now know that our rights and interests are compromised by the liberators.
We have learnt a lesson; we shall, henceforth, take precautions to ensure we don’t fall into the dragnet of their tribal wars and conflicts of interest.
Our country seems to have no decisions of her own; we tend to copy what is done in Kampala.; schools are open in Uganda; they must be open here. Their army is UPDF ; ours is SSPDF; a lot more. We don’t lack think-thanks but they are not given the chance to do their work.
We have experts who can decide on our own affairs. Air fares from Juba to Kampala are more than going from Nairobi to Dubai. Going to Khartoum is even cheaper. Why do we allow ourselves to be exploited ? This is an insult to our intelligence. We need to be masters of our own.
It is a matter of time to ensure justice is served. The Mugabes and Bashirs now calling the shot will one day have their day in a fair court to answer for the injustices inflicted on South Sudanese without any remorse.
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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