Daunting Tasks for Southern Sudan States' Governors

May 6, 2008 - It is difficult if not impossible to start from scratch especially after emerging out from war that has been shattering the communities for decades. Southern Sudan is a region engulfed by enormous problems. Today, insecurity remains the biggest issue in the region but there are emerging problems that must be confronted before getting out of hand. At the moment recent reports indicated that there is growing number of children loitering in the streets of nearly all Southern Sudan?s states capitals. In addition is the corruption, increases in tribal clashes and massive rural-urban migrations. The danger these pose to Southern Sudan and her people are despicable and the Governors must stand up now if there has to be a viable Southern Sudan. The issues mentioned are interconnected at least in my personal view and here I would like to elaborate the danger each posed.

The growing number of children on street capitals across Southern Sudan is a waiting bomb for Southern Sudanese. This is because those children will likely be notorious criminals. The safety of any Southern Sudan state capital for ordinary citizens will be very slim. Broad day light robbery will be common phenomenon. To curb the problem before it is too late each governor must do something in his/her state. In my humble opinion I suggest building boarding schools for those children would help reduce the future crimes. Alternative is for the state governments to make sure the parents look after their kids and not leave them on the streets.

If the SPLM/SPLA during the war managed to care for thousands of young boys, when there was nearly no resources, why not now? Recent media report from Northern Bharelgazale State revealed despicable treatment of Southern Sudan future. The report claimed that the street children in that state capital have been recruited into army. This is one of the cruel solution I won?t want to see apply if there is humanity in us. It is demoralising for a child to suffer the hardship in the army again when peace is insight. The SPLM/A leadership in 1987 took a bold decision by disarming the whole battalion of Zal-zal Red Army which was designated for Kurmuk by then and sent them to Dimmo Camp to grow and study. At that time the movement was under threat at various fronts.

The SPLA were shattered around Kapoeta, Jokou was threatening to be a failed operation, the enemy was threatening to recapture Pibor through Akobo and the issue of Kerbino was brewing. Despite these threats against the movement I and the likes were shielded. I think the Government of NBG should reverse it decision if the report is true. The mismanagement of human resources we had during the bush life should not be repeated. The war is far from over and so to winning it, this generation must be productive. I believe if the SPLA war for liberation was not led by decent people we could have ended up in disarray. For the South Sudan to stand, the governors and their governments must build and bring up the future generation with African dignity.

I have a feeling that the growing number of children in the streets of those capitals is exacerbated by massive rural-urban migration. I think if the governors apply the SPLM development modality of taking services to people the problem would be reduced. Go out to rural areas and give them services they need. In addition to this is an insecurity that tearing the rural areas apart, therefore they are fleeing for search of secure place to live. If the migration will stop the governors must work hard for the security of their people and also taking the necessary development projects out from their capitals to rural areas to stop everyone coming to the capital in search for job and safety.

The rise in tribal clashes recently in Southern Sudan is alarming and it is a major concern for every citizens. The cases in point are what happened in states of Warrab and Lakes and in other side of the Nile, Upper Nile and Jonglei states are not exceptional. The clashes comprised of clan-clan clashes or tribe-tribe fighting. This is tearing communities apart meanwhile the South is not longer at war as it used to be. I think there is a need for a formation of strong police stationed in flash-point areas. I know disarmament alone cannot solve the issue but if projects that would employ the youth are taken to the communities in rural areas the fighting may stop. They are aggressive because they are doing nothing productive. The fact that SPLA disarm them and NCP elements in the South Sudan re-arm them is self explanatory. What the governors and their governments can do is to keep them occupy by creating job opportunity for those youth.

I also believe the cause of insecurity is rooted from corruption. Lack of equality and just distribution of resources is a main cause of human suffering. Fairness is what human need to live a fair life. No other governor from ten states of Southern Sudan took a bold stance against corruption than Kuol Manyang Juk. The elimination of 100 ?ghost names? from the pay list of Jonglei Government employees is one of the examples as recently reported by Philip Thon Aleu. The recent move demanding government employees to produce their papers shows his seriousness on the issue. But I would advice the Governor not to be too hard on people who have no papers showing their qualifications. We know the impact of two decades war is very great and robbed many of us proper education.

In Unity (Western Upper Nile) State Governor Taban signed a peace with Missieria nomads giving up a portion of the land belong to Ruweng Community. Just few days ago I came across a message written by this community demanding the reverse of the decision. I think making peace in expense of others is wrong. The Governor should know that no matter what decision he takes that frontier remains a time bomb. I am trying to say we cannot solve problem by creating another. Now the Governor has just lost the contest for chairmanship of the SPLM in Unity State but I cannot speculate what the cause is. Back to eastern bank of the Nile particularly in the County of Akobo, there is outcry for change in the county leadership but there never been concrete response. Anyuak and Nuer are likes, both tribes are suffering. The resistance for change in county leadership is championed by elements in Juba but no one knows why they do so. The fact that others are occupying Anyuak villages is injustice and lack of equality in the system. There are individuals remote controlling and administering Akobo from Juba and nothing Governor Kuol can do. It is a daunting task for any Governor who is in that position.

Barchoch is a Gurtong Correspondent in New Zealand. Reach him: jkoang@hotmail.com