South Sudan Marks 13 Years of Independence Amidst State Capture Concerns
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The current state of affairs in South Sudan
By Emmanuel Malual Makuach, Juba, South Sudan
Tuesday, 09 July 2024 (PW) — As the clock ticks down to South Sudan’s 13th independence anniversary on July 9th, the nation is facing a container of mixed fortunes. While the country prepares to celebrate its hard-fought freedom, citizens are grappling with a range of challenges. The postponed celebration, which has been delayed 12 times since independence, underscores the difficult circumstances facing the young nation. The pervasive grip of corruption, entwined with the vested interests of powerful individuals and their close circles, has left South Sudan’s economy in a state of paralysis.
The families and inner circles of the ruling regime have amassed considerable influence, using it to exploit the nation’s resources to their advantage while leaving the populace to bear the brunt of economic hardship. As the country prepares to mark its independence anniversary, a growing sentiment among citizens is that true independence remains elusive as a select few have effectively captured the nation. In the streets of Juba, the capital city, voices of discontent are growing louder.
Many citizens express the sentiment that South Sudan’s true liberation hinges on freeing the nation from the clutches of a privileged minority who have consolidated excessive power at the expense of the broader population. For the past 9 months, public employees have not received their salaries, leading to widespread financial hardship. The impact of this crisis has been keenly felt, with public services at risk of collapse. Recently, this hardship culminated in strikes by civil servants at two public universities in South Sudan, underscoring the depth of the crisis.
Amidst these calls for change, there are mounting demands for President Kiir Mayardit to take decisive action against individuals accused of orchestrating large-scale corruption. The names of Minister of Finance Awow Daniel Chang and his associates, including under-secretary Hon Malual Tap Dieu, have surged to the forefront of recent corruption allegations. Their purported activities, including the diversion of millions of dollars and pounds into private accounts, have left civil servants languishing without salaries for a distressing 9 months.
Health and security sectors, crucial for the well-being of the populace, are reported to be operating at suboptimal levels, exacerbating the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. Unrest is palpable as allegations emerge that certain segments of the security apparatus, notably the National Security Service (NSS) and Tiger presidential guards, may be receiving preferential treatment while the broader workforce goes unpaid.
With widespread corruption, escalating insecurity, and concerns about ethnic mobilization ahead of the upcoming December polls, a sense of unease permeates the populace. South Sudanese citizens are increasingly vocal in their demands for their leaders to prioritize the nation’s interests over their own. As South Sudan marks this significant independence milestone, the eyes of the nation will be fixed on President Kiir’s address, eagerly awaiting a message of hope and concrete plans to address the daunting challenges facing the country.
The prevailing sentiment suggests that the true spirit of independence can only be realized through concerted efforts to dismantle the entrenched systems of corruption and hold those responsible to account. South Sudan’s future hinges not only on commemorating past victories but on forging a path toward a future where the principles of fairness, equality, and accountability underpin the fabric of society.
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