South Sudanese writers have responded with diverse reactions, ideas and commentary on the crisis in the country and how to address it. Five recent articles are summarized below with key excerpts.
The SPLM third party and its implications in the peace process
The author Peter Gai Manyuon argues that the group of seven released SPLM leaders now at the Addis Ababa talks are “confusing the situation” and should either join the Machar faction or not be permitted to continue in the negotiations.
“Were the seven not part of the rally that was conducted on the 6th of December 2013 in Juba? If yes; what make them different from Dr Machar, Alfred Ladu and Taban Deang Gai? … Inter-governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) with African Union should not allow the seven political detainees forming a third block…”
Read more via South Sudan News Agency, 6 March
The question of Ugandan troops in South Sudan
The author Abraham A. Awolich says South Sudan had the sovereign right to invite Ugandan troops into the country and calls their intervention a continuing necessity, pointing out “the relative stability seen in Juba and other parts of the country is in large part a direct result of Uganda’s intervention.” He downplays concerns that their involvement could contribute toward regionalization of the conflict while acknowledging their presence created ‘uneasiness’ in Khartoum.
“The deployment of Ugandan troops close to the border with Sudan has caused uneasiness in Khartoum, justifiably because of the alleged support of Uganda to the Sudanese rebels. However, it would be hard to see a scenario where Khartoum government openly sides with the rebels and risk losing the revenue from oil and unravel the Cooperation Agreements. Besides, Uganda does not seem to have the intention to destabilize Sudan…”
Read more via the Sudd Institute, 4 March.
The truth about the aborted coup of Dr. Riek Machar
This 17-page report by the Government of South Sudan says that it documents the aborted coup d’etat that the former voice president is charged with committing, explaining also how the president responded to the situation.
“Dr. Riek Machar is left with no option but to rely totally on support from the Nuer ethnic group. To uphold his support, he tactifully proclaimed his unpatriotic rebellion as a war between the Dinka and Nuer tribes where President Salva and Dr. Riek respectively hail from. …In fact it is Dr. Riek who constantly uses the Nuer Community to get the leadership of South Sudan. He does not obviously care about the huge loss of lives of the children, women, elderly and the sick he recruits to die because of his ego for power and wealth in South Sudan…”
Read more via the South Sudan Embassy to the United Kingdom.
Our Problem: a socio-economic analysis of the South Sudanese situation
The author Kor Rualmim argues that one of the main problems that needs to be addressed is that tens of billions of dollars of oil revenues were not adequately distributed among the population.
“Both the Any Anya I revolution and the SPLM/A revolution failed to address our main problems. Currently, a third revolution is underway also seeking to address some of our major socio-economic challenges. And there is no guarantee that this third revolution will properly address our common problems as a people NOT necessarily as tribes but it’s worth a try… The leadership of the SPLM/A-in-Opposition has the obligation to articulate the mission of the third revolution and how it will address the mistakes made in the past. And this must start with popular consultations on most critical issues, especially with regards to the peace talks in Addis Ababa…”
Read more via Sudan Tribune, 1 March.
Salva Kiir and the Future of South Sudan: The 4 Things you must Do
The author David Aoloch Bion lists 14 major things that have gone wrong since 2005, 6 major successes, and 4 major things that need to be accomplished. He writes in the form of an open letter to President Salva Kiir, advising him first to secure the country while also looking forward to a peaceful transfer of power by 2020.
“Your Excellency, you must stabilize South Sudan, you must put it back on track to normalcy by either you militarily defeat Riek or you peacefully resolve problem by creating the post of Prime Minister or 2nd Vice President within 2014. Mind you, never replace James Wani Igga with Riek again in the Interim Government. This will make chance of Riek becoming President very high. God may take you away like John Garang; Riek automatically can become the president. This will be an insult and descration to victims of 1991 and 2013 wars of Riek. Riek must be denied presidency at all cost…”
Read more via PaanLuel Wël, 7 March.