Let’s dump tribalism and give nationalism a chance! Jul. 17 Politics, Uncategorized no comments
“Morality binds us together into cohesive groups but blinds us to the ideas and motives of those in other group (Michael Shermen).” BY: Lok Franco Kok, South Sudan, JUL/17/2013, SSN; In one of my articles published on 24th February 2011 shortly after the bloody massacre carried out by late George athor against innocent women and children of Fangak County titled, “Nuer- Dinka animosity: how it began,” I emphasized on some points which I believed are the motives behind the cancer of prolonged animosity between Nuer and Dinka, the two major tribes in South Sudan. My points were crystal clear, due to the fact that in every bit of misunderstanding there is always a incipient point, I believed disparity couldn’t just ascend from the blue. On the contrary, a certain source could have actually inspired it, and if not addressed with insistence could extend and involve sensitive parts and produce some untreatable complications. The more these two tribes engage on political and some social differences the more this hatred takes some advancement. Comparative to the political mess-up in South Sudan, these two rivals never agree even on the developmental plans. The political violence remain the only challenge persistently catching the public attention and raising the level of already deteriorating condition of our innocent citizens. Our leaders have to be blamed for every bit of political chaos. Nevertheless, our brothers and sisters in politics are still competing to gain political posts at the expense of the innocent children and women. Pointing fingers at one another and casting blames among themselves for the failures that our Nation is going through is nothing but the last kicks of the dying horse. To criticize the system where you are part of, does not give any sense at all and it’s a big blow to the South Sudan’s ruling party, ”the mighty SPLM” which is fear for lawlessness and corruption. The top echelon of South Sudan could have just sat and see who has capability to lead during this tough situation where our nation faces a lot of economic, social and political challenges. Dr. Riek’s decision of competing against his boss in 2015 election stirs a public concern across South Sudan, just for the fear that Kiir will not give a chance to whoever wishes to compete against him in the upcoming general election. President Kiir and Dr. Riek have been working together since Kiir took office after the tragic death of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement’s founder Dr. Garang in helicopter crash in 2005. Kiir always believed that both of them are working together to bring change to South Sudan’s conflict traumatized citizens. Could it be so after the tightened tension between them? Does this disagreement have anything to do with tribalism? Is it not too early for South Sudanese highest echelon to engage on leadership greed? The current political debate has nothing to do with tribalism, but a political disagreement. Kiir as a person is a South Sudanese and has a right to contest for the second term in office and nobody can stop him from that right, equally Dr. Riek has the same right. The amusing side of this political arena is the deplorable involvement of simple citizen portraying the event as tribal. The suspension of two ministers, the cabinet and finance ministers, the sacking of Chol Tong of Lakes state and Taban Deng of Unity state are all the decisions of Mr. president and these decisions are protected by law. The two ministers are suspected of corruption which is the topic of debate at every corner of the road teashops, local wine shops and clubs. Former governor Taban was a best and close friend to president Kiir before they politically fell out. The civil society of Unity state struggled for quite long to get Taban sacked from governorship of Unity State, but their cries fell on deaf ear of president Kiir who was actually having common interest with Taban. Now come his relief from office, nearly everybody in Unity State got furious and translated it as tribalism. What is the tribalism here? The motive behind the hatred between Nuer and Dinka was seen by many analysts as a fight of strength and bravery. The advancement that it takes now has to interfere with the nation’s integrity. Dr. Nguen is also from Nuer of Unity State. I am absolutely confused why our people like only trouble. Kiir has his rights and privileges to exercise what is constitutionally lawful. In the interim constitution of the republic of South Sudan, “article 101 sub- article (r) (t) & (s) stated clearly that the president has rights under law to remove a state Governor and/or dissolve a state legislative assembly in the event of a crisis in the state that threatens national security and territorial integrity and appoint a state care-taker Governor who shall prepare for elections within sixty days in the state where the Governor has been removed or the state legislative assembly so dissolved in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution, the relevant state constitution and the law; and perform any other function as may be prescribed by law.” Tribal politics does nothing positive for the nation except to create too many fault lines among the people that could surely weaken the country. Therefore, we should be equally alert that our politicians are playing their mischievous actions among us and wishing to get into power brandishing the tribal card and eventually relegate them to where they belong- the political dustbin. Our people may not easily recognize that the leaders and top politicians are not acting for public interest, but only for a personal gain. It happened many times that if one is relieved from his/her political position he/she don’t hesitate to run to the street criticizing the same government that he work for. The elected government of the mighty SPLM/A is now internally becoming aware of its weakness, which I think is truly nice to the people of South Sudan. Mr. President has nothing to do with all the failures that are blamed on him by his challengers who comprised of the ruling party’s secretary general and his vice, Dr. Machar. He could be blamed as the head of the state, yes, but those who came up with challenges are also to be blamed because they were/are part of this failed system. If I seem to be presenting arguments against what we called a democratic elected government in Juba, permit me to point a flaw in our elected government. The state is me “all easily becomes” the state is mine. In other words, our leaders tend to think of themselves as owners of this nation rather than as of elected leaders. It is as if one’s brain, instead of regarding itself as an integral part of the body, suddenly starts treating the rest of the body as a possession, to be disposed of at will. Individually, we can call such a state “madness.” Whether we are talking here about government by a group or a single dictator, such leaders are beholden to the military organization that is the source of their power. Furthermore, knowledge of the values, purposes, and goals of the rest of population is usually limited or distorted by their military background. That is revealed and came to light when national journalists are being threatened and putting their lives in danger for airing the truth about the government in the media. In the face of this major threat to our nation, however, the politicians may realize that the country needs their leadership more than their respective party does. Nations that knowingly prioritize the tribal politics lag behind in development, as they waste energy and resources on tribal wars, political bickering and marginalization. We should not promote tribalists who want the voices of their tribes to be heard to the exclusion of the voices of other tribes. This country has been through enough already. It cannot develop if we have leaders that promote tribalism. We really need unity to prevail, not only the spoken unity, but the practiced one. It is intolerable and regrettable that the cancer of tribalism is still eating away the minds of our politicians after the tremendous achievements that we made for the independent of our nation. We read, see and hear the stories of human rights abuses and corruption in the government and we wonder how come the young nation could start misusing the public funds while there are a multitude of challenges that should be addressed. The government that guarantees protection, security, basic human rights, economic infrastructure needed for economic activities, roads, communications network, and help stimulate economic growth, encourage investment and job creation; the one that provides the basic social services for all citizens regardless of their ethnic background, the government that built schools, healthcare, adequate housing and clean water is the only one that deserved the prolonged leadership. The two major tribes that are ruling South Sudan now are putting their respective interests above that of our country. If we continue conflicting on who is strong enough to lead our nation, then South Sudan will be a failed state as believed by many analysts before the independence of our beloved country. I hope it doesn’t sound sanctimonious when I say that the reason I have overcome my tribal loyalties is the national interest. I am calling upon the entire South Sudan citizens to dump tribalism in the dustbin and give nationalism a chance! Our people need to wake up. What is going on in South Sudan will not be to the interest of any South Sudanese. What our people need is a leader who will provide their basic needs not a brother who will turn a blind eye on their demands. South Sudan’s interest is served either reforming the ruling party or giving a chance to another party to rule. 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