We
all agree, even with some staunch government supporters in South Sudan, that
the September 12, 2014 circular (No. 007 /2014) signed by the minister of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource
Development, Hon. Ngor Kolong Ngor, was ill-conceived and dangerous for South
Sudan. And it’s with that understanding that the government, a few days later,
released a press statement (RSS/MOLPS&HRD/J/33) on September 17, 2014
‘clarifying’ what was written in No. 007/2014.
The
September 17, 2014 PR was dubbed a ‘clarification’ but it was rather a
‘correction’ because what was written in the circular was crystal clear and
dangerous :(...all aliens…in all positions…) If South Sudan was a ‘normal’
country in peacetime; the minister should have resigned immediately because his
action was actually a national security disaster on many levels. It endangered
the lives of South Sudanese in other African countries, jeopardized our
economic and diplomatic interests and reflected South Sudan as a nation of
leaders who act first and think later.
The
parliament, useless as it is, should have summoned the minister to explain
himself. What do we know? It’s South Sudan anyways!
However,
the point of this article isn’t so much about the gross error of judgement by
the government of South Sudan because the government has admitted the error and
corrected it.
This
article addresses the unrealistic, childish and uncalled for response our East
African brothers and sisters meted on South Sudanese nationals as a function of
that infamous circular.
With
no doubt, the government of South Sudan made a gross mistake; however, I don’t
understand why Ugandans and Kenyans were gravely harsh to South Sudanese
nationals even after the government corrected the error! And why react with
such negative air to a blunder, first of its kind in South Sudan? Is that the
essence of brotherhood and sisterhood our East African brothers have for us?
Couldn’t our East African brothers wait for clarification before reacting?
Would one consider that reaction as a sign of maturity?
However,
the most disappointing part of this isn't the reaction by the average citizen
of the two countries and some mindless musicians like Bebe Cool! It’s the
reaction of the leadership! There’s no doubt that South Sudan has benefited
from the generosity of our East African brothers and sisters; however, it’s
ridiculous to rub it on our faces ALL THE TIME. Even the Kenyan chief diplomat,
Kenyan foreign secretary, Amina Mohammed, reminded us of the help Kenya has
given South Sudan.
Such
generosities should be uttered in a way for others to just imply them. But for
a seasoned diplomat to remind South Sudanese of the help Kenya has extended to
South Sudan in the media in a condescending tone leaves a lot to be desired. It
made me question whether Ms. Mohammed has any genuine regard for South
Sudanese!
For
those of us who did our High School education in Kenya, we know how ‘brotherly
and sisterly’ Kenyans can be. And those who’ve been to Uganda know how
they treated and still treat South Sudanese. I have had money extorted from me
in both Nairobi and Kampala! And I was told to ‘go back to your country’ many
times!
Kenyan
and Ugandan police extorted money from us, jailed us, beat us up and treated us
like dirt. That was such a sign of brotherhood, right? However, we couldn't do
anything about it for we had no choice and we also saw other trade-offs such as
allowing us refuge in their countries!
For
those of us who were in refugee camps, we know Kenyans and Ugandans found
employment through various NGOs working in South Sudan and with their
headquarters in Nairobi and Kampala! In Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenyans were paid
almost 5-10 times what we were paid and some Kenyans went to schools in Kakuma
Refugee camps for free. There were many Kenyans employed in various South
Sudanese offices in Nairobi. I know of a number employed by my aunt and uncle
in their offices in Nairobi. Kenyans and Ugandans benefited economically too
from expensive houses rented by South Sudanese commanders and civilian workers.
Now, how
many South Sudanese worked in private sector or in the government in Kenya and
Uganda? South Sudanese who worked as professors worked because they were
qualified. They were not employed as a goodwill initiative by the Kenyan or
Ugandan governments.
This
makes me wonder why our brothers and sisters feel they have an unalienable
sense of entitlement in South Sudan.
We
know very much that Kenyans are benefiting economically from their businesses
in South Sudan. Kenyans banks and restaurants employ Kenyans in positions South
Sudanese can easily fill. What does it take to be a waiter/waitress? How much
education does one need to be a teller in a bank?
Both
the sense of entitlement our brothers and sisters have in South Sudan belittles
what could be seen as help they extended to us. One could now conclude that
their help isn't an assistance extended in the name of African brotherhood and
sisterhood but it’s a function of what WE have to do for them.
Every country has every right to put its citizens first. Kenya and Uganda know that! So what’s with this foul-mouthing and sense of entitlement in a foreign country? What happened to the sense of gentlemanly Africanness and respect for one another? Do we have to please Kenyans and Ugandans for us to be respected? What kind of mentality is that? It’s okay to complain to your brother and sister but there has to be a civil way of doing it!
Kenyans
and Ugandans are showing a side of them that’s not worthy of people who’ve been
independent for over 50 years, or people one can see as friendly and sisterly! How about some 'civilized' behavior from our elder brothers and sisters?
The
South Sudanese government has at least shown it cares by immediately correcting the
error! So where’s your care my East African brothers and sisters?
