South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
BY Amaju Ubur Yalamoi Ayani
The Republic of South Sudan has reached its thirteenth birthday. A decade and two years ago when the flag of the newly independent Republic of South Sudan was hoisted at Dr. John Garang Mausoleum, South Sudanese citizens from all ethnic, linguistic, and religious backgrounds attentively watched, and celebrated it with a full sense of hope, nationalism and patriotism. The euphoria was stirred by the belief that the South Sudanese people had already stepped out of a protracted conflict, which for many years, had been orchestrated by the successive oppressive regimes in Khartoum, and that they had ushered in the land of justice, liberty and prosperity. At the occasion, artists sang and the masses danced, the leaders rhapsodized and the people cheered. “The Republic of South Sudan and the SPLM Oyeeee!!” was the mutual slogan of the day. Of course, this is the country they so bravely fought for.
Nationwide, the notion of independence conceived by South Sudanese commons was a newlywed ’s attachment at a beach. Majority of them held the belief that the 9thJuly did not only embody their individual and collective freedoms, but also the moment of launching a new life after the departure of deliberate onslaughts of marginalization, which the successive Khartoum-based governments presided over for nearly half a century. Peace, harmony, unity in diversity, the socio-economic developments and new opportunities as well were at the forefront of their expectations.
At the regional and international levels, the 9th July 2011, was warmly received. People from around the world, especially those from countries that became long-term friends and allies of the SPLM/SPLA and the people of southern Sudan during the liberation struggle joined a group of jubilant South Sudanese in celebration. Their government officials and ordinary citizens alike sent significant chunks of congratulatory messages and best wishes and eventually offered their willingness to open up foreign missions in the capital of the world’s youngest nation.
However, still within the region, the 9th July 2011, didn’t go down well with some leaders. They welcomed it with a gob of doubts, even before the flag was hoisted. The top leadership of an anonymous neighboring country started to speculate about how the world’s newest nation would handle its internal matters, and openly questioned the kind of leadership South Sudanese politicians would provide in a country already intertwined in turmoil. Did their cynicisms come true? Only the story could tell.
Reacting to all misgivings, the President of a new nation, Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, confidently downplayed all pessimisms and maintained that his party and the people of South Sudan were capable of handling their own affairs amicably. He said, “Our distractors have already written us off, even before the proclamation of our independence. They say we will slip into civil war as soon as our flag is hoisted. They justify that by arguing that we are incapable of resolving our problems through dialogue. They charge that we are quick to revert to violence …”. That was President Salva Kiir Mayardit on the 9th July, 2011. Yet, only two years later were distractors proven right. On 15th December 2013, the whole world saw the newest country slipping into a civil war. Impatience, greed and egotism dwarfed the very liberators. Little could they recall their distractors’ cynicisms?
As the country has reached its thirteenth birthday, it is imperative to raise this fundamental question: Is the 13th Anniversary of South Sudan’s independence a moment of hope or despair? This query attempts to address both sides of the story, because the civil war triggered by the leadership contest within the SPLM ten years ago has consequentially laid a fertile ground for all problems circulating in the Republic of South Sudan. For example, it is its metamorphosis which has filled up South Sudanese and their government with mistrust, hopelessness and shame. Since 2013, South Sudanese have never gathered again at Dr John Garang Mausoleum to commemorate their “Independence Day”. As we are commemorating it indoors this year, it can be asserted that the “Independence Day” is still filled with despair.
To shade light on this matter, it is self-evident that despair has displayed a grievous face in every corner of South Sudan. From Juba City to state capitals, and down to counties, payams, bomas as well as villages, the chorus of hopelessness can be heard loudly. This sense of bleakness has been impelled by a couple of factors such as economic slump, and enervating security to social hazards. Currently, the entire economy of the country is crumbling, leading to a substantial decrease in provision of public services, and consequently, rising costs of living of South Sudanese ordinary citizens. In addition, communal armed conflicts are deepening, social felony is widening, systematic corruption is endemic, over-dependency is protracting, climate change is threatening, education system is tumbling, health deficiency is flaring, and ethnic politics, trust deficit and kleptocracy are consolidating. At the international level, our staunch friends and sympathizers are withdrawing their trust daily. The 13th Anniversary of South Sudan’s independence comes amidst these challenges.
Nevertheless, despite all these problems, the 13th Anniversary of South Sudan’s independence is still a beacon of hope and resonates optimism. The hope and optimism alluded to is guaranteed by the existence of the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) which has been effective since 2021. The presence of this government has built not only sufficient trust in former warring parties but also in citizens, particularly those camped in internally displaced sites.
The ongoing Nairobi Peace Talks (Tumaini Peace Initiative) between the R-TGoNU and the hold-out groups is another source of hope and optimism. It is showing a significant progress. And although parties are still holding reservations on some contentious issues, there are indicators that sooner or later the peace deal shall be reached.
As we commemorate this historic day, it is crucial to meditate as a people on how far we have come, and to what extend we wish to look ahead. Problems stated above are real and enormous. Ignoring their magnitudes and warnings is synonymous to setting fire on one’s own house. It is for this reason that the author has taken upon himself to suggest some recommendations in carefully chosen areas.
- Both R-TGoNU and the hold-out groups should negotiate the Tumaini Peace Initiative in good faith. The initiative is stimulating hope and optimism in South Sudanese ordinary citizens. Currently, their eyes are turned to Nairobi to see the progress of that peace talks.
- Parties to the R-ARCISS should speed up the implementation of all the pending provisions of the 2018Revitalized Peace Agreement. This is to show commitments of all parties involved. It is time to relinquish all kinds of political hypocrisy and demonstrate political will to implement all the outstanding chapters of the agreement.
- The R-TGoNU should start the process of peace, reconciliation and healing. This process will clean up anguish and wounds ravaged by senseless war and inter-communal armed conflicts. It will enable the people of South Sudan to forgive one another, and open a new chapter filled with hope, love, unity and patriotism.
- The R-TGoNU through its relevant institutions should uphold, promote and strengthen the rule of law in the country. Prejudices and other forms of marginalization are the very titanic forces which convinced South Sudanese to opt for session in 2011. Compromising the rule of law will unequivocally prompt South Sudanese to rekindle the pains inflicted on them by former repressive governments in Khartoum. Hence, there is a need to establish a competent, effective, impartial and independent judicial system in the country to administer justice in all levels of government.
- The R-TGoNU and its relevant authorities should confront all forms of organized corruption in this country. South Sudan has already filled the record as one of the most corrupt countries on earth. And as young as it is, the practice is inappropriate and ought to be eradicated outright, because corruption in whatever form is a cancer. Its prevalent in the country can undermine not only the functionality of the government but also trust between citizens and their government. Thus, the political leadership of this country should institutionalize and strengthen a zero-tolerant mechanism on corruption.
- The R-TGoNU needs to prioritize agriculture to feed its hungry population. It has been estimated that about 80 percent of South Sudan’s population living in urban centers is largely dependent on imported food and non-food items, and an additional number is heavily relying on the humanitarian assistance. This situation is worrying and bothersome. Furthermore, the government needs to exit from solemn relying on oil export. Over-dependence on this natural resource has proven, beyond reasonable doubt, less productive and unsustainable. Potential avenues such as mechanized agriculture and industrialization should be exploited to diversify the country’s economy. Other areas of urgency encompass infrastructural development, transformation in education system and improvement of health care services for all.
- The R-TGoNU should, without hesitation, cater for our liberation veterans. Those ladies and gentlemen are the very people whose achievements we celebrate every year.
As we are commemorating the 13th Anniversary of South Sudan’s independence this year, it can be concluded that a lot need to be done to realize the aspirations of all South Sudanese, whether they are young or old, rich or poor, weak or strong, Christians or Muslims, traditionalists or non-believers. Their hopes and liberties should be guaranteed, nurtured and safeguarded without regard to ethnicity, language, religion or gender. These are the ideals our people both dead and living so bravely fought for. It is now incumbent upon all of us, the living, whether to continue turning this land of abundance into a theatre of war or transform it to an ocean of peace and prosperity. As such, let us all embrace peace and tranquility as we usher in a new era of our history. Let peace, love, and hope shine upon the Republic of South Sudan.
About the author
Amaju Ubur Yalamoi Ayani is a South Sudanese Master’s student of Political Science at the School of Social and Economic Studies, University of Juba. He specializes in International Relations and Diplomacy and can be reached via amajuayani@gmail.com.
