Not, No Man's Land: South Sudan

By: Jwothab Amum Ajak; April 11, 2008

The saying goes that when the Dollar sneezes the rest of the world currencies catches cold. The ethnic strife, Kenya went through, in the aftermath of the disputed presidential election caught most of its neighbors, including South Sudan with cold. Goods destined to South Sudan were late arriving in Juba due to problems, bottlenecks and difficulties experienced in Mombasa and enroute. It showed our dependence and vulnerability as a landlocked economy.

Though the jury is still out with the verdict on the success or failure of the kind of reformation measures the Kenyans have embarked on; so far they are to be applauded for having recognized and acknowledged Mr. Anan diagnosis that the strife goes deep beyond the election into the political structure and wealth sharing problems of land etc.

South Sudan almost a replica of Kenya in ethnic diversity and also in similarities of the problems of the kind triggered by election in Kenya; problems of development and nation-building etc., but the naked truth is in degree. There is no comparison, we are far worst off in many aspects.

Our problems far more acute. That is why one wonders that if it could happen in Kenya with relatively high level of social integration, education and development in Africa, then it is more likely to happen in South Sudan, an emerging nation on important crossroads. To many keen observers who have been following the last events in Kenya, the message came home and hard that we are not immune from such troubles particularly the mushrooming problems of resettlement. 

Land Issues: Needs Immediate Imperative Attention

It is morally repugnant and politically disastrous that up-to-date different level of governments in South Sudan seem not addressing as quickly as possible, which may not necessarily be out of malice, the most serious problem we ever have experienced so far that is the resettlement problems by war-displaced persons or their refusal to move out where they already resettled during the War in other community/tribal/clan land, absentee owners (a wide spread phenomenon not restricted to Equatoria alone).

Our basket is already full to the brim with problems. We don’t need more addition of fresh ones, do we?   And so we need to hear, from our governments, what needed to be said loud and clear that forced or whatever you may call this activity of resettlement without consultation of customary land owners, is wrong. They must take a stance and in a perfect clear unison voice denounce illegal resettlements wherever they are found.  They must act to uphold the law and correct any land trespasses by giving it back to those with customary rights or original owners with title. This is utmost importance for many now who have been displaced by war are planning to go home to resettle and build their lives once again from the beginning.

There is no “national interest” in governments keeping their mouths shut when they know quite well the difference between legal resettlement through the right channels and between illegal ones. However, let us hope the silence is not stemming from the school of thought which holds that “if it is not broken don’t fix it” and accordingly those who are raising the issue may be dubbed as alarmists, people who see a rat as an elephant.

Forced resettlement against the wishes of the people of the land is like breaking into somebody house. It is a bullying behavior which will deal a long-lasting devastating blow to social harmony and peaceful coexistence. He/she will remain there, despite any determined and sincere efforts, if there are any efforts for resolution and reconciliation, a resented intruder and an unwelcome guest, neighbor etc. I call preying on land playing with fire. It is a reckless manner, which if we are not careful, will land us where we do not want, in the jaws of chaos and incessant petty tribal vendetta.

Interest-seeking individuals always masquerade in the name of community or clan’s interest.  They hope this worn out tactics will afford them self-protection and gain them the social pressure to use to avert official pressure to vacate the land. These individuals if they think land is good for them why not to its real owners. It is only economic opportunism that is preventing them from seeing beyond their self-interest to the interest of others and the nation as a whole.

The argument that they settle in “no man land”, an empty land where you can settle without permission is absurd. In the whole of the country, there is no piece of land that is not within the jurisdiction of the law, in its broadest definition. Hence they must be told point blank that such behavior foments unrest, on the one hand and on the other, it is bound to send wrong signals that will go to discourage individual initiatives of those who are genuinely interested to make home wherever they like and be accepted in their new chosen community as residents.

Of course it is a constitutional right to settle anywhere or to take residence in any town; village in Sudan provides you follow the right channels not through the back door or taking law into one’s hands. Likewise, those who want to invest and develop the land I am sure are most welcome. Only they have to negotiate that following the procedures and the regulations in that respect.

We must recognize that there is a strong bond between the tribe and its homeland. The land is part of the tribal identity. Therefore, any attempt from outsiders to move ancestral boundary stone or encroach on fields, save to claim or occupy the land flares up deep emotions that hinges on honor and dignity of the tribe. This is because many of the land features and characteristics such as rivers, mountains etc have in many communities a lot to do with certain traditional rituals and customs. Take these away and you took a way some of the cultures and traditions of the tribe.

That is why folks influenced by that culture and environment find it hard to enter their thoughts and feelings on ice and discuss issues of land without undue heat. They find it hard not to express their feelings in an unsympathetic language and tone. However, the majority of our people must be commended for the restraint they are able to exercise as law abiding citizens, looking towards the government to readdress grievances.

However, a good prospect or thing that has emerged out of the problem is the involvement of some concerned communities in Diaspora. Openly, in a characteristically very unusual way, they denounced the resettlement activities of some of their folks and practically asked their friends to give up the resettlement plan, pack and leave in peace.

This exemplary stance shows there is a light at the end of the tunnel. The patriotic countrywomen and men in those communities speak for all peace loving South Sudanese. Demonstrably, they have passed the test of walking the walk. Whether or not they have known what living together in harmony and peace means or like many derived the necessary lesson from the problems Kenya is unfortunately going through.

Even though effective such courageous and responsible initiatives may be as it has helped diffused and cleared away any potential tension and conflict, nevertheless still in future will not be a substitute for the government early intervention.  Because if the medical adage “prevention is often better than the cure”, is true then sure so too is the preventive measures of governments on whatever issues that will plague and divide communities.

Government at whatever level in South Sudan must demonstrate a high level of understanding and a great sensitivity for issues at stake such as issues of land. (END)

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