Corruption in South Sudan: How Corruption has Infected every Part of Motherland

By Tito Tong, Juba, South Sudan

Friday, 10 June 2022 (PW) — “Want to get some work done? Take something in your pocket”. These are the words that must be stuck around everywhere. Yes, truly speaking of the widespread corruption in South Sudan. Today, corruption has become an inevitable issue. Corruption is seen in almost every part of the country. Viewing from a working post, almost everyone has dipped himself into this sinful act.

“As you sow, so shall you reap” is almost violated everywhere. Evil consideration of money as everything depraves oneself. Money paves the way for all sorts of luxuries required for a comfortable life. The “Be shameless and enjoy” slogan has been promoted in this country. No one realizes the suffering and pain of another. “Honesty is the best policy” is an old and outdated saying today.

A financially weak person can hardly think about producing a vital governmental certificate comprising of nativity, etc. He had better keep himself away from this and thus deprive himself of facilities. This also makes the country more and more regressive into conflict. Today, South Sudan has many other problems too, which slow the rate of progress. The eradication of corruption will reduce the problem to a great extent.

Many of us are patriotic. Love for country, the destiny of sacrificing for motherland can only syncope the corruption today. Many desire to try their useful hands to eradicate this, but are suggested or advised that the smaller wheel of a machine must work as the bigger one does. A garbage one will be crushed by the higher authorities. One is always suggested to stiff upper lips and get the work done. But the whole system can be reversed if the material of smaller wheels is converted from trash to a powerful one that would possess such an ability to amend the organization.

Yes, speaking to get into a position that can comatose the present thinking corrupts. An individual can try to aspire as an officer to fight against this. There is another good way to fulfil this aim, which is to optimize politics. Dust is only removed when one becomes a part of it. But today, none are interested in politics. Moreover, the view towards politics is so extreme that none of the political leaders is considered good for anything. There’s a great example of this fact.

An elderly person who can’t be mentioned once visited a school and, as a chief guest, had an active conversation with the students. There he raised the topic of ambition and asked the students about their aim. As expected, many aspired to be engineers, doctors, actors, and many others. but none responded to political leadership. The elderly, on listening to these, suggested students change their way of viewing politics, and adopt a more optimistic view of it. Today, South Sudan can be saved from this poison of corruption only through entering politics. So, we, the younger generation of the country, must strive hard to eradicate corruption and other problems to make the country prosperous.

Corruption has been spread like COVID-19 all over South Sudan as well as abroad. It has become one of the most speedily increasing social issues in South Sudanese society. It is generally initiated and promoted by opportunistic leaders. They never think about the nation’s benefits and do lots of damage to the nation through their corruption, even for their own small advantage. They sell their country’s properties or resources into the wrong hands and spread wrong beliefs about South Sudan to the people living in other countries.

They are spoiling the old traditions and cultures of South Sudan for their own personal benefit. Nowadays, people who are working in the right direction using the right principles are considered as foolish in modern society, while those who are working in the wrong direction and making false promises are good for society. However, in turn, it is true that corrupted people cheat innocent, simple, ordinary, and innocent people. They are ruling the minds of innocent people.

Corruption increases in South Sudan day by day because there is a strong connection between the officials, politicians, and criminals who are making this country weak and so weak. The Republic of South Sudan got independence on July 9th, 2011, and it was slowly becoming strong and developing, but in the mid-way, the disease of corruption and a civil war started and stopped South Sudan’s growth. In South Sudan, there has been a trend of giving and taking, which means giving some money to get your work done, whether in government offices or private sector offices. And now the condition is getting worse and worse, as earlier, the money was paid for getting wrong works done or only work to be done, but currently, money is paid for getting works done in the right ways and at right time. Even after paying complete money according to the demand, there is no full chance of getting things done on time and in the right way.

Corruption is everywhere in every department, whether it’s hospitals, education, jobs, or government offices. Nothing is left of corruption. Everything has become a business and a source of earning money in the wrong way. Educational institutions are also involved in corruption, and they give seats to those students only who have paid for them, whether they are good students with good marks or not. Very weak students are given scholarships or admission to the top colleges and universities only based on money paid for admission, while the top student with good grades and a lack of money gets back into life or gets admitted to any simple college.

Nowadays, private-sector companies are so good in comparison to governmental jobs. Private companies are giving jobs based on candidates’ skills, ability, technical knowledge, and a good percentage of marks and educational records. However, it has become tough to get a job in government offices as they need lots of bribes to grant any type of job (high level or low level). And the number of bribes increases in the market as the level of jobs increases, police, etc.

Inclusion, and patriotism within an individual must arise. My country is my home. Ideas must be cultivated. Harmful mosquitoes and flies are destroyed when dared to get inside our home. This same feeling must be developed for our country too, or we will always be developing, not developed. Today, South Sudan is independent, but now is a victim of corruption, ignorance, etc. We are independent under the slavery of the weeds of corruption.

The article on corruption is given under various word limits according to the people’s needs and requirements in any institution. The entire corruption article was written to almost fulfill the current needs of people. Corruption is a social issue, and this topic is in vogue for people’s awareness.

The author, Tito Tong John, holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya, while doing a Master of Business Administration in the specialization of Human Resources at the same institution. Previously, I worked with different radio institutions under the Catholic Radio Network and am currently an opinion writer at Dawn News Paper frequently. I work in accordance with National and Media Authority Laws, Rules, and Regulations through its service. I observe standards of journalism with a high degree of neutrality, impartiality, integrity, professionalism, and balancing information. You can reach me through (+211920908051//+211912785339; WhatsApp/Skype: tong.khamisa; Email: tongkhamisa446@gmail.com)

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