Lakes State Grapples With Inferiority Complex

BY: Mapuor Malual Manguen, Rumbek, South Sudan

It's worth mentioning that Lakes State is well off in terms of human resource development. There are hundreds of brilliant youth and elderly people who are capable beyond any reasonable doubt especially as far as employment is concerned. Moreover, there are hundreds of elders who are well educated and are qualified to make good advisors any time when needed and who had also gained significant experience as some of them have worked with the government of Sudan before the signing of Comprehensive Peace Agreement between NCP and SPLM in Nairobi 2005 and indeed others served in Civil Authority of New Sudan (CANS).

This is not the case now however. Hundreds of unemployed youth, some of whom are university graduates are now roaming around all over towns of Lakes State particularly Rumbek and are uncertain about their future. Some have resorted to drinking alcohol and drug consumption while others waste time playing cards and dominos.

What does the future hold for these youth now? Well, are there no jobs in the government, nongovernmental Organizations or private sector? Of course the government can create jobs for its people.

But what about the vacancies in government where foreigners are serving in, leave alone NGOs which they have notoriously controlled.

In the government of Lakes State for instance, there is a significant number of Kenyans and Ugandans employed especially in the ministry of education. One of the places where they are somewhat visible is Rumbek Girls primary school. Their number is more than the natives. Of course their large presence is good, but are they really genuine teachers! That leaves us in suspense because we are not aware the method used by government on hiring them in their respective countries.

Well, the method used by Lakes state government in their recruitment seems to attract more questions than answers. Indeed it's pretty much unscrupulous.

First of all, after the signing of CPA thousands of people from East Africa poured into Southern Sudan immediately, thanks to its lucrative business opportunities. Fortunately, as they entered the country, they found a government which does not care for the welfare of its citizens and so they made use of this opportunity by furthering their unprecedented and dubious goals including taking our jobs which is not the case in their countries assuming that the equation was reversed.

Moreover, some of these people that our government employed may have come here for illicit businesses like prostitution, many of whom were unable to get jobs in their countries. Their likes are now in Custom market in Juba and across all major towns in Southern Sudan .

As a citizen of this country, I've the inalienable right to condemn and criticize this as irresponsible and primitive style of leadership where leaders care most on matters affecting their families and relatives while turning deaf ear to masses who are constitutionally entrusted under their custody. Many citizens and I are dumb-founded by this precedent because it is full of illusion.

In Rumbek Girls school, where the government is giving accommodation to female Kenyan teachers, there are frequent and timeless driving to and from this place by their compatriots (countrymen) who are serving in UNMIS even during schooling hours. This is an interruption to children's learning. I wonder whether they have turned these accommodation rooms as brothels.

Lastly but shockingly, the government bluntly employed these people without unequivocally finding out whether they have criminal records in their countries. A good teacher is the one whose track record is unquestionable and who loves his/her work of educating children.

The activities which these women (teachers) have been doing are contrary and proves beyond any doubt that their records are shocking. They are not merited teachers anywhere in this world whatsoever the case. They should have rather been asked to quit school compound so that they can do their business outside the community domain and any body who wish to see them can meet them privately in their own rented house.

So, why do foreigners who come to this country easily get employment when the citizens are hardly getting jobs? I've stayed in Kenya and now studying in Uganda but I have never met any single Sudanese employed by those governments. This is because jobs are exclusively for the citizens. But what's happening here?   It is a sham, illusory and amazing.

The truth is that we are victims of inferiority complex and if this virus is not eradicated by accepting ourselves as equal patriotic citizens who are endowed with the same brain capacity that all human beings have, then I fear we will never even achieve what several generations of Southerners have been fighting for.

God will not come from heaven to solve our problems. If anyone has this notion, then it is a mind-boggle which will never yield fruits.

I am not against the employment of Kenyans or Ugandans. However, their recruitment should be procedural and in a legal manner. After all, Southern Sudan enjoys warm relationship with its East African neighbors. So the government should go in its capacity and make rightful selection of teachers jointly with governments or institutions concerned. This can enhance the recruitment of professional and qualified ones who can serve under the obligations that may be outlined in the agreement. More so, the work would be efficient, accountable and mutually benefiting.

Meanwhile, I would comment president of Southern Sudan Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit on his recent shake-up of the government. It is a brilliant move and has echoed public opinion especially in our very own Lakes State which has been all along stifled by vicious power struggle, culture of impunity, incompetence of some ministers and commissioners and indeed the common disease in the government of Southern Sudan called corruption.

The current line-up of our state cabinet is giving us some hope and optimism that in the next six months of the year, the common man of this state will have felt some dividends. The euphoria that we had four years ago on the CPA could be regained if people feel again that it is their government where services are fairly delivered irrespective of social, ethnic or political affiliation.

I hope the remaining months before general elections slated to February next year will never again be wasted for an evil act of corruption, embezzlement, incompetence, bullying civilians and alcohol drinking. It is time to draw a line by delivering services to the people. Otherwise, the citizens of Lakes State have already drawn their line and are waiting elections where they will express their voice on the ballot box to vote out all the thieves and incompetents from the posts they are occupying now.

The days of appointment are at dusk and a bright new day is emerging whereby common citizens can choose who are right to represent them in the next phase of interim period. Therefore it is upon the politicians now to choose whether to deliver and be voted in again or continue siphoning public resources and be red-carded and sent home to look after their cattle.