Articles and Analysies
Are our intelligentsia part of the problem or solution? BY: Joseph Kenyi, MEMPHIS , TN. USA
By [unknown placeholder $article.art_field1$]
Nov 12, 2009 - 7:27:58 AM

Are our intelligentsia part of the problem or solution?

BY: Joseph Kenyi, MEMPHIS , TN. USA

I'm bewildered and disillusioned by some of our intelligentsia and so-called political leaders who vehemently accuse SPLM for everything, ranging from security instability, poor governance to corruption, that could complicate and imperil the 2011 referendum.
They have also blamed SPLM for calling peaceful demonstrations throughout the country in that it would lead to loss of innocent lives.

They blamed President Kiir for his  recent message to the  people of South Sudan : to vote for separation not unity come 2011. I wish the critics could use more of their energies and resources to pressure our enemies, NCP, to deliver on CPA.    

I believe this is a critical time in the peace process when we all have to stand united behind SPLM and show resolve to ensure fair and free elections. There is no time for finger pointing because if I, for example, point a finger to someone at least two or more fingers are actually pointing at me. But the critics seemed to be insatiable; they amplify everything that goes wrong in South Sudan and blame SPLM for it. They do not allow things to play out as they should.  

History is said to be the best teacher. However, the critics never learn something from our history with the Arabs of North Sudan. Or they are selfish, self-serving individuals who are used by NIF to thwart CPA. Such people are traitors for our cause. They know no life without the Arab masters in Khartoum . More than forty years of war with more than 2 million of our people dead is not enough to convince them that our marriage with the Arab north has been broken beyond repair. No any sensible person would like this sour relationship mended. Even the Act of Providence won't like it either. God created as free agents to live good lives and will not us permit to be in shackles for ever because we are all His children whether white, black, brown or yellow.  

Our biggest enemy is the clock keeps ticking on us. Any slight differences that tend to separate us will send a wrong signal to the international community that left alone we would not be able to govern ourselves. Consequently, therefore, South Sudan would become another failed state like Somalia , with domino effect vibrating throughout the whole African continent and the world at large. Who would want such a state to come into being? The answer is no body. The Arabs have used this very argument as a propaganda to deny the people of South Sudan the right to become an independent separate entity. Some of us are buying into this irrelevant argument big time.

Unlike other landlocked developing countries, we should consider ourselves blessed because we are endowed with all resources including able-bodied manpower that are necessary and sufficient conditions for sustaining a functioning, viable state.

It is sad that we bring to the  national stage our own local problems. Our enemies being adept and cunning are able to exploit these differences and tear us asunder at a critical time when our stakes have never been higher. I don't mean that the problems plaguing South Sudan now are not important.

On the contrary, they are important but the time is not just right because they detract us from  major national issues. We should keep these problems at the back burner and deal with them once South becomes an independent state.

History will judge our generation harshly because we threw away the independence of South Sudan which Dr. John Garang and other gallant fighters brought to us on a silver plate. We know better than the elders and chiefs who attended the 1947 Juba conference. Dr. John that I know is one of the greatest political animals Africa has ever produced. That is why he is not alive among us today. All of Dr. John's political statements are not in black and white. Often one has to read in between the lines in order to fully understand the message he wants to send. What President recently did is fulfilling Dr. John's wish that we vote for separation.

If my memory is not clouded, the ruthless NCP or NIF government of fugitive Omar Al Bashier, through its security apparatus and Islamic courts intimidated, flogged (in public), jailed, murdered and silenced voices of freedom in the Sudan. SPLM is the only remaining political party which has not been cowered or chickened upon which we can rely upon. SPLM/SPLA is ready to fight again for its people only as a last resort when it has exhausted every peaceful way to achieve a peaceful settlement to the problem of South Sudan .      

What else can we expect SPM to do when the discussions between NCP and SPLM on the remaining unresolved issues are deadlocked? NCP is adamant not to break the impasse and SPLM would not give in because it will be a sellout.

I consider SPLM call for demonstrations as a political maneuver to show the whole world that it has exhausted all tools of democracy before going to war or declaring unilateral independence for South Sudan . Believe me,
Al Bashier regime is now limping on one leg which could be easily be brought down through political demonstrations by all peace loving people of the Sudan . He is at the losing end of history and is just delaying the inevitable.

For those who have been critical of SPLM call for demonstrations I have this for them. When people sign voluntarily to go out to the streets to demand for their rights they know what to expect from terror regime that holds a different world view from ours. The Muslim brotherhood regime also knows that the world is now a single large village and Sudan is under radar. It would be very foolish for Al Bashier to kill with the indictment by ICC hanging from his neck. I don't deny some killings may take place. The reality is few have to die in order for many to live a free life. Freedom without human cost is never appreciated.

I for one, I'm sick and tired and sick and tired of dirty games that are played by Khartoum to keep us as second class citizens in our country. Are you not? If you aren't, my hat is off for you. If yes, let us stop finger pointing at SPLM. We are all in this mess together and together we shall emerge victorious and free.  

God bless South Sudan and God bless the oppressed people of South Sudan .