By Samuel Loliwa
By changing the way we look at each other, we could make an assurance to ourselves and our new nation to patriotically assist in building it peacefully. A genuine citizen, politician or say public servant would always criticize it government with a genuine spirit; the spirit that doesn’t wavers or lead in insubordination. In fact, patience is always required of those who aspire to serve their own country in good faith.
Folks, long ago in the United States, slaves were made to believe that they were just slaves and aren’t entitled to compete in anything but only in serving their masters. Neither were they entitled to fight for their rights in any given circumstance. This belief was prevalent then, and as such led the slaves to believe in white superiority; consequently, they became victims of inferiority complex and the result was so alarming.
The same theory could be applicable in any related setting to that of the slaves. People who believe in others as the leading dominants in any society could be easily affected as the status quo. South Sudanese should positively engage in every political stratum without referring to other ethnic groups as dominants. By doing so, they could resist possible alienation and they could also compete to win the top ladder. Wailing and barking while in hides will not help those who opt to do so. Neither will insubordination help any nation or institution to progress, if you will.
Interestingly, in Nebraska, USA, there is a high population of Nuers. Having monitored the Nebraska SPM Chapter’s election process conducted for a number of years now, has given me an impression that, the Dinkas, Equatorians, and other ethnic groups are getting fed-up from the Nebraska SPLM Chapter’s election process. The reason is quite clear; it’s the contest to win the chairmanship. In fact, since the formation of Nebraska SPLM Chapter, the Nuer ethnic won all of the elections. But the other ethnic groups discontented with the process. And so these other ethnic groups resort to slackness and they distant themselves from the Chapter’s activities; probably as a way of boycotting the process or so.
However, instead of these other ethnic groups to collaborate to form an alliance within themselves, yet they decided to back off from participating in any Nebraska SPLM Chapter’s activities. Their discontentment made it easier for my Friends the Nuers to win the Chairmanship, comes each election.
The same sentiment is applicable to the Nebraska Women League election process. Those who attended and witnessed the recent election could testify to this. In the last recent Nebraska Women League election, it was strongly disputed: it was also marked with complaints and despair. But the reality is, the Nuer candidate who won that election, did manage her campaign successfully by mobilizing many of her supporters, and on Election Day, overwhelmingly, her supporters came and voted her in a landslide victory. Other three women candidates form other ethnic groups appeared to have had few supporters or no supporters at all. But thereafter they tried to complaint and disputed the result; by then it was too late. Thus the belief that the Nuers will always win was felt by many.
Although many among these other ethnic groups intentionally decided that there is no need for them to participate or even waste their time in participating in Nebraska SPLM Chapter process, yet, form their hiding holes these other groups remain primary opponents of the Nebraska SPLM Chapter’s affairs under the Nuers’ Leadership.
It is quite obvious here that, these other ethnic groups have forgotten that, if they could join alliance by mobilizing their supporters, they could win an election one day, even by some margin. If this happened, this could automatically change the ongoing theory that, Nuers will always win the Nebraska SPLM Chapter election.
As South Sudanese ushered into a new era, there is a high need of retracing a new political theory: a philosophy that is poised to oppose any rebellion. Peaceful coexistence is the best option to counteract any political stalemate in our country of South Sudan. Although politics is a dirty game, constructive criticism should be the best rational approach to our vast growing problems in South Sudan. For sure, South Sudanese are entitled to their grievances but in a much matured and constructive manner.
In closing I must say that, the time for nonsense maneuvers, is over. This is a sure time to wake up from any disillusion and that all South Sudanese people must reframe their political ambition for the sake of building the new nation, the Republic of South Sudan. This is a right time for South Sudanese to strategically work together to build God’s given State. Any political immaturity at this time must be stopped. South Sudanese people must form a strong nationalistic identity to inspire and forge a new beginning in our history. Let each Tribe be as a source of peace and a contributor to the building of a new nation.
But Tribalism, if exercise, could be our worse enemy than disease, if it is strategized to empower close affiliates to dominate other ethnic groups. South Sudanese, it’s time to change the way we look at our new nation.