Besides tribalism political favouritism a grave concern in New Sudan

By Koang Tut Jing 

The language of fairness as justice have never had a place in the Sudanese society in practice rather than singing by preaching it during gatherings or streets for politicians and military leaders to use innocents young men for their benefits. We grow up absorbing the important of equality and justice from the SPLM/A leaders. Today, justice and equality remain what many in the New Sudan endured the adverse conditions during the struggle. Yet we never escaped political favouritism and tribalism negative impacts despite sharing common cause.

Today and yesterday still the same. Many of us believed nepotism was due to limited opportunities for scholarships and jobs the SPLM/A had during the war. Now the war has died down abit, thus most of us expect fairness to counter the wrong system we rebelled against since 1983. But not so, as far as people over forty years old still run the show with mentality they inherited from those dark days.

Today, getting a job/scholarship opportunity in Sudan is all about who you know and not what you know. “Scholarships that are offered for all masses of Sudanese are channelled through blood line.” The days when job or scholarships can be offered according to ability remain elusive. In our beloved cities of Juba , Wau or Malakal it is hard finding a job or scholarship if you do not have a relative working as a minister somewhere.

I believe we all suffered in one way or the other during the course of struggle. What about those martyrs who left their widows and orphans? Those are the souls that paid the gracious sacrifice for us people living today in whom they deserve honour by setting up a fair system in our new founded Government in all levels. Where are the sweet words we have been hearing during the war? The fact that I have ability to contribute in the development of New Sudan does not count because of nepotism in all the ministries of GOSS as well as GNU, where is the change we took up arms for? I can tell you that this has nothing to do with me as individual but I am trying to place myself in the shoes of those facing this uphill battle in Juba and other areas.

It is true that blood relations determine who get what job or scholarship. To the best of my knowledge we did not go to war to satisfy the needs of certain quarter and leave the rest of citizens in the cold. If we cannot care for those with out relative in the GOSS or GNU, what would be the consequences in the long run? We are creating criminals and robbers unknowingly. This I believe will hurt us at the end of the day if we do not change the mentality. Our deceased brothers/sisters relations and children are indeed victims of the war we hoped could help us heal the grievances we had against successive regimes of Sudan which turned out now to be in vain.

In his speech to the first SPLA Mobile Force in 1986 at Bilpam, the then Chief of Staff late William Nyuon Bany said to them “we left our own women and their children but if we keep fighting on those children will one day be better off.” Unfortunately the children he was referring to are now the victims of the current system including his own children. His children are not able to find job or scholarship leave alone those children whose fathers died as SPLA soldiers or junior officers. Well, Nyuon and other past leaders bore the blame of current issue daunting us.

The prominent example was the fell of Bukteng to Anya nya II under Gordon Koang Chol in 1986, dislodging late Kolang Puot and his forces. Instead of Kolang who was the commanding officer being held responsible, Garwec Dual spent time in jail at Bonga which I witnessed when I was in training by then. This was because of clanism and political favouritism.

Today certain states and counties leaders are selected based on political favouritism and clanism. Certain tribes and clans are suffering as a result of mismanagement and lack of fairness and just. The recent clash in Lake State is a case in point. People of Akobo are suffering due to political favouritism and clanism. Both Nuer and Anuak tribes are daily crying for change in Akobo leadership but no one give them ears. Mismanagement and lack of fairness in the area remain the looming disaster for people of Akobo. Nuers are killing themselves anyhowly due to lack of responsible system. The areas of Anuak from Wangdwar to Ciban still under Nuer occupation since the Anuak are displaced, how can peace come if others are not treated fairly? Nuers of different subtribe of that area mistreat themselves. What is in Akobo cannot be solved if political favouritism is not dropped.

I love SPLM to lead Akobo but it must be someone fit for job. However, if there is suitable candidate from other parties, why not rescue people of Akobo from the long disease that have been sitting on them for years now? My major concern is the suffering of Anuak in the county we all share.

The fact that SPLM/A led the struggle for New Sudan where tribalism and political favouritism are eliminated still elusive than ever.

Koang is a Sudanese living in South Pacific. Reach him at jkoang@hotmail.com