Failure of South Sudanese government to invoke real sense of sovereignty is a dangerous game

BY: Marial Mach Aduot Mach, Australia

JAN. 05/2012, SSN; As it is stated in a document of proclamation of South Sudan independence, the most highly anticipated mandate was sovereignty which signifies freedom and independence. As the matter of clarity, Sovereignty in the mind of south Sudanese whose pride resonates in them may not require further explanation, however, it needs an explanations to the laymen of current governing system which has less or no clear idea of what it means.

In the words of influential South Sudanese diplomat, Prof. Deng, in his Book, ‘Sovereignty as a Responsibility’, he redefines the traditional norm of sovereignty which emphasises state of independency from incursion or intruded institution. In contrary to this, Deng negates this traditional creed of independency alone by emphasising the creed of sovereignty as responsibility to deliver political institution which provided governance to insure human protection, good security, law and order.

In his view, the bigger picture of state independency is projected by the ‘duty of state to protect it citizens’. Based on these, his arguments elaborate a sense of care in governance toward the people hence that, any ‘state that fails to protect its own citizens from any harm whether internal or external, must forfeit its sovereignty’s status. 

According to what is, or has been happening in Jonglei or around the border with our Northern counter-part, the question is whether our state failed to protect its status of sovereignty? Based on Deng, et al., assumption, a state can be presumed as failed when it is no longer willing or able to carry out its functions especially the duty to protect its citizens.

In contrast to the current state of security in South Sudan, it would be somehow premature to brand Republic of South Sudan as as failed state, but its security situation especially in Jonglei brings our new country closer to the brink of the failed state. Due to the political sensitivity still on the ground in the South, I would confess that my view should be treated as an opinion rather than a disparaging attempt.

As a matter of fact, Jonglei situation of killing and adductions while government doing less proves both governments in Juba and Jonglei have seriously failed to protect the citizens therefore, Lou Nuer Youths who are currently on the rampage looting and killing in Murle land were forced to do that. 

Firstly, since the signing of the CPA, Jonglei State has been burning and bleeding while nobody cares or does much. Apart from other elicited activities committed by Murle around Jonglei especially to Greater Bor, the last year's offensive in Uror County by Murle tribesmen which killed nearly 800 people and several adductions are solely responsible for the current invasion of Murle by Lou Nuer to seek the ravage hence they have taken ‘no laws’ into their hands.

In suggesting the failure of South Sudan, the obvious fact is that, its current political element harbours bad governance within our current system while ignoring the issues like Security concerns. The consequences of government less response to ethic violence can easily get out of hand into a similar of case of Rwanda genocide. 

In the mind of our government in Juba and in Jonglei, that scenario is unthinkable based on unqualified perceptions although we are on the brink of that situation unless the government protect those affected by Murle adductions and killings.

Regarding the imminent casualties as the result of the revenge by the provoked communities in Jonglei, general condemnation by human rights lawyers will be directed to government on its failure to secure the living environment for the people by imposing law and order.

To be honest nobody was keen enough during the liberation war, but the current elected government in Juba should know better that people and their peace amounts to make South Sudan which President Kiir and his Generals indulge themselves.

In coming to the case of sovereignty as a responsibility, what President Kiir and Kuol Manyang should know is that there are some times where the activities committed due to negligence of irresponsible government comes to personal level and a luxury ride to International Criminal Court. (ICC).

For instance, President Omar Basher and his closer men are now wanted criminals not because they personally killed individuals but through their ill-responses led to genocide.  

As Lou Nuer took revenge that could possibly mount to genocide, it would not be long before an arrest warrant like that of Basher would be slapped on the heads of these leaders in Juba.

Apart from that, President of Republic, Gen. Salva Kiir, will be seen as a very dishonest and a hypocrite who calls for the things he doesn’t believe in them.

In many International conferences including, the United Nations, Kiir repeated responsibility and accountability many times while he is failing those promises.

As action speaks louder than words, the fall of Pibor projects a full declaration of war toward Murle and I believe they will learn from that although they might be guilty for Lou attacking the SPLA forces.

No matter of what happens to Murle or SPLA  forces in Pibor, government must carry all the blame because it should have focused more on Murle as an attacking side not revenging side.

]Reference, Deng, FM., Kimaro, S. and Lyons. 1996, ‘Sovereignty as a Responsibility,’ Conflict Management in Africa, Washington, DC: Booking Institutes.]

Author of this article is a South Sudan residing in Australia. He can be reach for comment at pandepiol@yahoo.com

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