State building is different from liberating it
The Flag of the Republic of South Sudan
By Pal Chol Nyan, Juba, South Sudan
Sunday, November 01, 2020 (PW) — Most African political ideals of liberation struggle ranging from freedom, comradeship and patriotism; to mention but a few, form the basis of the initiative to fight wars. These ideals are usually abandoned after the attainment of Independence; the liberators turn to enrich themselves.
Once power is handed over to those who embraced the ideals sang very loud during struggle, they quickly replace the liberation ideals with greed, mafiasm, sycophancy, kleptocracy and worst of all king-making by spitting on liberation ideals. The country is in destitute, States are submerged under water, the leaders are in the hotels and enjoying. No program for development.The people are left to die alone.
Former comrades have turned into bootlickers tasked to sing praise songs to please ruling class hence creating an intimidating and unbearable sutuation for some comrade who would want to sing the liberation ideals. Some comrades have thrown in their lots or leave the country. Everything becomes a matter of life and death.
Another eye catching thing is that, many people own institutions; they take decisions solo. The case of the University of Juba is in point. Students have been dismissed and other suspended with fines imposed in cash. For those who know the history of Sudan, when the students were dismissed from various schools, arrested on flimsy charges or forced to accept Islam against their will, what happened?
Is it the same thing repeating itself here? Are there no other disciplinary measures besides dismissals. I think suspension for a specified period of time would have been the way to go. Who will be responsible if the reaction of the students turned chaotic?
I am of the opinion that the decision was not well thought of or taken impromptu; I don’t question the ability of those who took the decision there but it is inciting in nature,I may sound rude but that is what my conscience tells me. The decision needs to be revisited with other administrative punishments considered.
This country is at crossroads; there is no need to strangle our education by engaging the whole Institution in this pretty fight. Such issues that can be hammered out amicably. It will delay the lectures and the time frame set for the exams and the next academic year.
All countries born out of a struggle and later ruled by the revolutionaries, the country then gets divided into two categories, the rich and the poor. Enmity and scramble for wealth becomes the order of the day and puts former comrades at odds with each other. The civilians become the collateral damages.
By a layman’ s definition, the rich are the supporters of those in power aka government and their apologists; they get their foods through flattery and sycophancy. The poor are the citizens and those opposed to the ruling clique ; who by definition, are the champions of rhe equality for all but who have no power to change things for the better.
Increased political pressure and lack of all forms of freedoms gives birth to another rebellion. That explains why wars never end in Africa.
Some comrades or liberators who are vocal in reminding the rulers about liberation ideals will be isolated, sent into exile or eliminated. The cause of political dissent is never addressed even if it is known.
You must be a bootlicker and allow yourself to be an ignoramus to earn a bread in Africa or else die in exile.
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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