On 9th July South Sudan became an independent country. This marks the
final victory of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA) after over two
decades of civil war. However, this will apparently only provide liberation
for a few – especially the elite who drive around Juba in their Hummas
(luxury SUVs).
The backgrounds of two people in South Sudan demonstrates who is being
liberated.
Clement Wani Konga was a member of the Anya Nya, the rebel movement of the
first civil war. He was then absorbed in to the national army. When the
SPLA started the second civil war he fought against them for several years
retiring from the national army with the rank of Major General. He then
joined the civilian government as a minister.
* Clement Wani Konga*
When peace came in 2005 he was appointed as the governor of Central
Equatoria State. He stood for this post in the elections last year. However,
his opponent Alfred Lagu Gore, a well known radical and socialist, gained
more votes. Despite this Clement Wani was again appointed to the powerful
and influential position of Governor. One of the many perks to this job is
sharing with the president of South Sudan the imposing governors’ palace.
Like many of her fellow local government workers Dawa Florence Dada joined
the Civil Administration of the New Sudan during the civil war and worked as
a volunteer for up to a decade. She only received her first salary in
January 2008.
However, Florence was not given a permanent appointment, so has had no
promotion and her salary was only about $100 a month.
Then in 2008 there was an assessment of local government workers and those
not considered up to the mark were sacked.
Florence was the only woman in Morobo County to pass the screening exercise
and so should have been guaranteed a job.
*Florence at a meeting to discuss the plight of fellow CANS workers*
However, 18 months ago Florence was sacked. Since then she has again been
working in her community without pay.
With her fellow workers, Florence , “looked to the trades union and gave our
papers – but up to now our problems have not been addressed”. Despite
their treatment, they are confident that they will eventually win their
rights, “we are going to continue – we will not surrender”.
The spirit of the Egyptian revolution is having its effect in the new
Republic of South Sudan. It is hoped that this spirit will lead to the
liberation of Florence and her fellow workers.
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