Retrospect of Regional Government and GOSS after secession in 2011

By: Daniel Abushery Daniel, USA

Quote: "Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over, if you just sit there," Will Rogers

JUN 22/2010, SSN; Many speculations and rumors are being circulated around the globe about whether or not South Sudan has the essential capability to rule and care for themselves, if in fact South does become an independent state from the "Jallaba" dominated old Sudan.

That shameful propaganda about Southerners being unable to rule themselves because of the spread of illiteracy, corruption, and tribalism among others, is racist at best. Because if given an equal opportunity, Southerners have the best administrators in the whole of Sudan even by the admission of some honest Northern Sudanese.

For instance, during the ten-year tenure of the Addis Ababa agreement, South Sudan was actually more stable than the North in terms of democracy and peaceful transfer of powers, that Al Nimeri was so jealous, that he had to dissolve the regional government in order to undermine the unity of South Sudanese.

Indeed tribes and tribalism are alive and well in all parts of Northern Sudan, especially in the Northern state (al Shamalia), West and East Sudan. So, to suggest that somehow South is the only exception is, truly unfounded and misguided to say the least.

In addition, much of the tribal conflicts in the South are fuelled by the North, to convince the rest of the world that we can't possibly run a government, if we are unable to control some ill-equipped tribes.

This song or music is nothing more than a psychological warfare to further wound our dignity and indeed our unity, because there are some folks in South Sudan who have actually bought into this smear campaign that, in fact we cannot manage our affairs without the help from the Jallaba. This song is not new. It's is a very old one dating back since 50s, and it continues patting it to the present generation. We cannot allow it to continue any longer.

The real question: How could South Sudanese be expected to achieve miracles in a five- years period of time, and just coming off a two decade long civil war? To plan for projects alone takes at least a couple of years if not more. Then, to put that plan in execution will need even more time than the planning time. So, by far, the GOSS has done far beyond expectations of fair-minded people everywhere.

Furthermore, after Addis Ababa accord, which granted South Sudan autonomy government, (small government), and to the best of my knowledge, I have never experienced the presence of any Arabs or Northerners carrying out training or managing any institution over the course of the ten years tenure of peace time. Yet, with little or no educated people at the time, south managed to run a relatively smooth government, even in the face of the sabotage from Numeri's regime.

Nevertheless, the referendum is milestone away, and it's within our reach. Yet there some enormous challenges ahead which require from all of us to work together. Opposition parties, GOSS, and the civil society. Everybody has a pivotal role to play, no matter how big or small that role might be.

I believe with all my heart that all Southerners will vote for separation. I'm also optimistic that after we have cast our votes, South will be a united strong country. Let's get done for our children.

That said, I would like to seize this opportunity to support the initiative echoed by 1st Lt. Gen Salva Kiir Mayardit, President of the Government of South Sudan, inviting all political parties to a conciliatory summit in Juba.

By so doing, the president recognizes that he is the father of our nation. He should be commended for initiating this call for South-on-South dialogue. And this is truly an important and healthy step forwards for our unity, and that will pull out the red carpet from beneath Omer El Bashier and company, who work diligently to tear all of us apart.

Meanwhile, I would also like to suggest that, demobilization and disarmament should be stopped at least for a while. Instead, all military activities in the South should be directed to the borders with the North in order to combat any potential danger.

But I'm certain that demarcation will not be a big problem, as Foreign Minister, Ali Karti has said, because in reality we don't have multiple communities living in either side (South-North), which I think will make border dispute a lot more easier than recently thought. In addition,  all South Sudanese youth, students, and young men should be mobilized to take up arms when things become ugly.

In conclusion, a peaceful separation is what we need, but we certainly have to prepare ourselves for any eventualities. However, our plan" B" must be handy, just in case the enemy resorts to its (CPA) the two side must be abided  by the result of Referendum, whatever that outcome delaying games.

We fed- up with always being the second class citizen in our own land. Therefore, south Sudan must go.

SPLM/SPLA Oyee, south Sudan Oyee.

The Author can be reached at nyang19@yahoo.com. Or ddaniel575@yahoo.com