Let’s
not kid ourselves! South Sudan is a completely tribalized country. We can
pretend that only a given section of the society is the problem but history
will soon show that the sooner we acknowledge it and find a way to get rid of
it or reduce it the better things will be for all of us.
President
Kiir Mayardit has ushered in a culture of dirty nepotism and
Jieeng-centeredness in his administration, an unfortunate tribonationalism.
Regrettably, the leadership will pretend that the administration is not Jieeng-dominated.
Even when this kind of behavior and attitude is leading the country nowhere,
senior officials still believe nothing is wrong with both the administration
and the country as a whole.
If
one section of the country isn’t safe in the same city the president lives in
then you got to ask yourself: What’s wrong with these leaders?
Instead
of devising ways aimed at bridging the tribal divide and possibly use it to
bring long-term inter-tribal understanding, the senior officials either further
inflame tribal tensions through their careless rhetorics or through lies that
easily flash on their faces.
Not
only have the officials succeeded in making South Sudan gain number one as the
most fragile state, they’ve also brought the country to a new low.
The
only head of state who was able to attend South Sudan’s third anniversary ‘celebrations’
was President Museveni of Uganda for obvious reasons. The president of Kenya,
Prime Minister of Ethiopia and the president of Sudan didn’t show up. This is a clear indication of how bad the
leadership has failed. But they still think everything is okay. Beats me!
And even
worse, they still think there was a coup attempt when the world (even our
neighbors) sees no evidence.
Non-Jieeng
officials in Kiir’s government are either puppets or self-interest driven
folks. If the likes of Dr. Riek Gai and Dr. Lomoro have any true sense of self
and care for South Sudan, how come they allow South Sudan Television to be used
for divisive politics by the President and people like Malaak
Ayuen of SPLA? Such educated people should advise the president regarding the value of
different opinions. Instead of using his TV show to instill discipline in SPLA
soldiers and to show Nuer people that SPLA has a national face adn intent, Malaak has
politicized the show and uses a language that discourages Nuer from the
government. How good is that to the president and the country?
Rebellion
as I've always maintained, is bad for South Sudan and I’ll never endorse it come what
may! However, Dr. Gai and Dr. Lomoro, being the bootlickers they have become
without any personal integrity left, should nonetheless let the president know that
being criticized or being told that such and such a thing is wrong is not only
good for the president, but also, for the nation; because it gives the
president an avenue to evaluate his performance.
Riek
Machar on the other hand is not doing any better. How can a leader rely
exclusively on a unitribal fighting force? Riek’s failures, leadership
fantasies and dictatorial tendencies in 1991 are well-documented by Deborah
Scroggins, Dr. Lam Akol, Dr. Adwok Nyaba…among others. This means that Riek
needs to do more to be seen as a national leader. His administration is
overwhelmingly Nuer and his fighting army is made up of the same. Yet Riek is
accusing President Kiir of being a tribal leader. Duh!
While
Riek Machar didn’t start the current crisis, he’s not done any better than
President Kiir. Like President Kiir, he relies on his tribesmen and civilians
have been killed in thousands under his leadership. I’ve not seen the national
character of Riek Machar! He needs to translate his ‘democratic’ ideas into
actions.
While
Riek boasts of having supporters from other tribes in South Sudan, one has to
realize that all these non-Nuer men are categorically ‘jobbists’, to use Dr. John’s
term. You’ll agree with me that all the
men with Riek Machar are men who either lost their jobs or didn’t find any
avenue to land well-paying jobs in Kiir’s government. Not a single one can
boast of having quit Kiir’s government while still a minister or a senior
official. This still brings their national character to question.
President
Kiir is both a failure and a tribonationlist but citing that as a reason for
joining an armed resistance when one’s primary reason for leaving is the the
loss of jobs, isn’t honorable!
Besides,
Riek knows that South Sudan is tribally divided; however, he’s not put down any
clear modalities that would help bring about inter-tribal understanding. We
don’t even know the official policy or political position of Riek Machar and
his group. There’s no document except constant and vacuous call for ‘democracy’
and ‘freedom.’ The same Riek now calling
for democracy was the one who wanted to ban SPLM-DC of Lam Akol when he (Riek)
was Vice President. You can also check the list of his employees when Riek
Machar was VP and you’ll be convinced that Riek is as tribonatonalist as Kiir
Both
Riek and Kiir are killers, incompetent leaders, care only about remaining or
ascending to power at the expense of South Sudanese civilians and they surround
themselves with mostly their tribesmen.
These two leaders are a disgrace to South Sudan. I wish their consciences get awakened to give South Sudanese a chance for peace.
While
Riek has a better case diplomatically speaking, he risks, again, becoming a greater failure if
he doesn't put tribal issues between Jieeng and Nuer into serious
consideration. Imagining military victory is mere delusion.
