South Sudan must rise from her slumber! By Sunday de John emmajoson@yahoo In December 2013, while Christians of various denominations were preparing for Christmas, the doom days of history caught the nation by surprise. On exactly December 15, 2013, the bond of statehood broke loose, the center could not hold as South Sudan faltered. The country was falling apart in the watch of all. It was dreadfully awful. Innocent blood was spilled as the kleptocrats disgustedly fought each other with valor and mercilessness. Indeed, it was a power struggle between Dr. Riek Machar Teny Dhorgun and a bunch of reposed kleptocrats in one hand and Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit and his newly appointed kleptocrats in the other hand. The sufferers were the innocent civil population of the South Sudan. As clearly stated by the state owned media, a coup was staged by the former against the later and the later through the remnants of forces loyal to the state responded in self-defense. That is the initial twist of events but the rebels cunningly reputed the statement and alternatively depicted their theory of war being enforce on them. This was clearly spelt out in Dr. adwok Nyabas then articulation. Rebecca Nyandeng Chol, a wife of ex Chairman of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army in the person of late icon Dr. John Garang de Mabior unknowingly made matters worse through the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) by elaborately airing out her worries that the fighting was taking a twist against a tribal line and that Nuer Community were being targeted. That alone was enough to compel elements of Nuer community for a whole scale repercussion as they ruthlessly murdered Dinka in places such as Akobo, Bentiu and Malakal since the proclaimed mother of nation has vocally announced. She is one of the main actors in this national distress! The whole idea in the then reckless account of Nyandeng was to win peoples hearts but things worsened with rebel overrunning of Bor and Gen. Peter Gatdet Yak played his usual game. Initially he escaped with two months salaries of Division 8 troops after killing his deputies on the spot followed by announcement of his switch of sides. As if South Sudanese were accused of cowardice, they butchered themselves immensely in the corridors of Bor following unforgettable resistance enforced on the white army by the SPLA forces in their failed attempt to advance to Juba and capture Kiir as doctored by Dr. Riek. The whole nation was sent into the state of shock, panic and phobia conquered peoples thoughts and the mess recalcitrantly spread. Those intoxicated with war ravage continued with their despicable actions after having known that the government intervention was apparently inadequate. The crime and rebellion spilled over especially in Great Upper Nile region and more lives were lost. The failed coup and concomitant rebellion flummoxed matters even further and the war ragged continuously. The diversity of South Sudan was offended by the rebels. Dr. Riek failed to acknowledge his popularly by impatiently giving away a credit he was getting from the masses of South Sudanese. His massive popularly was growing exponentially. However, his interest in reposing Kiir has faltered once and for all after causing unforetold death. It is unquestionable that Kiir, Riek and their fellow kleptocrats have failed the South Sudanese. Their leadership has not changed the face of South Sudan that much as poverty and underdevelopment loomed undeniably amidst. Their leadership was characteristically kleptocratic from genesis and the recent trade of accusation serves no purpose especially in the hearts of nationalists. I am not telling anyone a secret, when I say South Sudan state has become an incoherent Tower of Babel that is failing at its basic functions of statehood. In should be noted that Dr. Riek Machar has failed us once again when we were to catch up with a ride of 21st century. As recently opined by professor Mutua Makau, those who dont know history are doomed to repeat it. Indeed, ignorance of history is akin to continuing digging when in a hole. You can only bury yourself deeper. South Sudanese of all walks, be they Nuer, Shilluk, Dinka, Bari, Muro, Murle, Zande and etc have conceded a great loss through the derisory calculations of the weirdo rebel Dr. Riek Machar. President Salva Kiir Mayardit and his successive governments have their portion of contribution to this effect: yes the leadership was elected but having been elected democratically doesnt insulate anyone from accountability. His shaky form of governance and weak media have immensely given the rebels a whole lot of recognition. However, it is everyones conviction that he must not be unceremoniously tossed out of leadership because he was legitimately elected. But, it is a terrible indictment when a government looks like a gazelle caught in the headlights. It must be noted that South Sudan wont grow without arresting crimes, violence and fear. In fact, I am crying for my beloved country. If a government fails to protect life, liberty and property, then the sense of statehood serves no purpose. The case in South Sudan is not all about Nuer versus Dinka, instead, it is a power struggle between the two individuals that are basically fighting a war instituted by grabbing of power legitimately given to Kiir by Riek and protection of power by Kiir. In this token they are both kleptocrats together with their counterparts and so, loss of lives isnt a panacea to this impounding grim! This much is clear, the bonds of this beloved country lies within the reach of youth and hence it is possible for youth to piece it back to even a better shape!
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 22:35:03 +0000
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