The illusion that “politics is different” has been one of the major misconceptions sold to the youth of South Sudan. In reality, politics plays a pivotal role in determining the fate of the nation, shaping its economy, and influencing every aspect of life.

My aim is to enlighten the youth about the daily challenges they encounter and to offer them encouragement by acknowledging their resilience. It is crucial for them to recognize the weight of neglect imposed by society and understand that the perception of being unable to lead or participate in politics is merely a facade designed to maintain the status quo.

In analysing any situation, I consistently seek out the underlying patterns. You might be wondering how this is done. It has been proven that nothing in life is entirely new; rather, everything is influenced and shaped by nature, society, and our surroundings.

In the movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” Barnes articulates to Batman, “You merely adopted the dark, I was born in it, molded by it; I didn’t see the light till I was a man and when I did, it was nothing but blinding.” This statement highlights a pattern of familiarity with darkness as normal, while light appears unfamiliar.

Consider another example: if you are a millennial, you likely grew up referring to every noodle as ‘Indomie’ and every toothpaste as ‘Macleans’ or ‘Close Up.’ This tendency is a result of what was readily available and what became a part of our routine – it’s a pattern. Had you grown up with Mimi noodles, would you have perceived Indomie as the superior brand?

Now, let’s uncover the pattern that defines the plight, neglect, and illusion experienced by the youth of South Sudan.

Before we delve into the challenges faced by the youth, let’s pose some fundamental questions: Is your environment perilous? How does your situation compare to global standards in terms of difficulty?

The predicament confronting us, the everyday youth of South Sudan, revolves around finding ways to overcome a system designed to perpetuate our dependence on it. Some liken it to feudalism, and to a large extent, they are correct. As youths, we have adapted by becoming logistics experts, facilitating the transportation of goods and services across the nation. However, challenges arise with policies emanating from Juba, coupled with the reliance on recommendations from influential figures for job or contract opportunities.

In our pursuit of self-improvement, we embraced technology, acquiring knowledge primarily through our smartphones. This choice is driven by the stark economic realities faced by the average South Sudanese youth, where owning a laptop is considered a luxury. I often ponder the future of brands like Tecno and Itel – will they maintain their market share in South Sudan if the economy improves and incomes rise? Their current market strategy, offering ‘more for less,’ may warrant a discussion for another day.

Can we truly discuss the situation in South Sudan without delving into the realm of politics? Without addressing the misconception that ‘youth do not participate’ in politics? The use of the term ‘myth’ might surprise you, but that’s precisely what it is – a myth. Throughout South Sudan’s post-colonial and liberation struggles era, youths have consistently been at the forefront of political movements.

Returning to the focal point, our journey into tech-savvy territory was fuelled by a desire to innovate and carve out meaningful paths for ourselves.

The arrival of the crypto spark ignited excitement among the youth, and rightfully so. It offered a potential means to outsmart the system and establish global connections. This crypto phenomenon opened up a myriad of income opportunities and provided insights into stock trading for entrepreneurs, traders, middlemen, and anyone participating in the vast global financial market. Just as we celebrated this newfound victory over the system’s hurdles, the system and its architects devised ways to undermine our success.

Initially, they launched an attack, facilitated by a willing yet out-of-touch “technocrat” who directed the nation’s resources towards manual labour farming, advocating for a singular “farming or the highway” approach. In response, we chose the highway. To provide clarity, this highly intelligent technocrat is commonly referred to as “Meffy” on social platforms. It’s crucial to note that these systems are intentionally designed, not as errors but with a specific purpose.

Can we discuss the South Sudanese situation without delving into politics or challenging the myth that “youth do not participate” in politics? The use of the term ‘myth’ might surprise you, but it accurately characterizes the misconception. Throughout South Sudan’s post-colonial and liberation struggles era, youths have consistently been at the forefront of political movements. The irony lies in the fact that individuals like President Salva Kiir, who once fought against the Khartoum government as young warriors in Anyanya one, now hold onto power.

The members of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), who fought for the country's freedom, find themselves in positions of power today. However, there is a glaring absence of a clear transition process for youth leadership. Why? As mentioned earlier, the system has been intentionally crafted to keep us preoccupied with venerating messiahs who offer mere crumbs instead of aspiring to become leaders. For nearly 15 years since independence, the system has steered us away from pursuing leadership roles and kept us focused on seeking daily sustenance.

While the ‘Not Too Young’ law marks a significant milestone, the need for continued advocacy remains paramount. South Sudan’s political landscape is entrenched in a monetized system, where the majority of the population lives below the global standard for a good life. This system poses challenges for individuals like Deng in Aweil or Gatluak in Nasir to freely exercise their voting rights, contributing to the neglect of youth in the political realm.

The myth that ‘politics is different’ is a pervasive illusion sold to the youth, obscuring the reality that politics intricately shapes the nation’s existence economically and otherwise. Neglect, defined as the failure to care properly for an item or a person, has long been a familiar terrain for South Sudanese youths, spanning across generations.

Historically, a colonial mindset, perpetuated into the postcolonial era and exacerbated during the military rule, has fostered a culture of self-interest at the expense of collective welfare. This neglect permeates the political sphere, where youth actively engage as foot soldiers, shape campaign narratives, and win over opposition members through personal interactions.

However, the aftermath often leaves them with empty promises or worse – a sudden loss of access to leaders they campaigned for, creating a mentorship vacuum. This form of political neglect not only takes a mental toll but also sets a detrimental precedent for aspiring youths navigating the same political route.

The illusion that ‘politics is different’ is reinforced by the misperception that youths don’t participate, conveniently forgetting that those perpetuating this notion started their political journeys in their 20s to 30s. They actively designed the current system that restricts the younger generation.

The burden of political neglect is compounded by the illusion that ‘politics is for the strong.’ The works of youths are often trampled upon without due credit, a consequence of unquestionable loyalty tantamount to a form of deceit or slavery.

I implore the youth to recognize the challenges they face daily, acknowledge the burden of neglect imposed by society, and understand that the illusion of being unable to lead or participate in politics is a facade to maintain the status quo. To those on the political path, I encourage you: persevere, work diligently, maintain faith, and, as Kwame Nkrumah would say, “Seek ye first the political kingdom.”

Emmanuel Mangok Deng is a former Secretary for Political Mobilization and Organization in SPLM-IO Youth League in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.

The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.