By Gatwech Deng Wal
Melbourne, Australia
Feb 13, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — The main focus at this time in South Sudan should be peace and reconciliation instead of election. Without peace and reconciliation, then election is meaningless.
South Sudanese’s president has created hatreds and disparities to the people he is calling for election and wanted to vote for him. Such hatreds and disparities are still “sky high”. Although he wants election to be conducted, I think he will not go anywhere with it.
In less than one year, South Sudan’s president killed thirty-forty thousand people. Only one in five were considered an armed combatants and hundreds of thousands more were forced to leave their homes as a result of his action. In addition, the president has tortured, raped and terrorised the people of South Sudan. All these evil acts are violation of human rights and crimes against humanity. Instead of election, criminal justice needs to be served.
These days and ages, South Sudanese will not make another mistake to vote for someone who will kill and displace them like Salva Kiir Mayardit, however, will vote for someone who will work in favour of their interests, develop the country and allow them to have freedom of speeches.
Mr. President and his followers have to first preach peace, reconciliation and build trust among South Sudanese. Once succeeded in these areas, then election can come into place.
Although Mr. President and his government become an answer to everything, this idea of election should be reversed. This is because conducting an election at this time is a waste of country’s resources, time and energy. People should come first and election after. This is something can come to Mr. President’s minds before being told to him by anybody else. South Sudanese are affected by this current senseless war, thus peace and reconciliation should be the first priority, maybe unity and stability wracked by instability can come back.
Election should not be done under the guise of wanting power legitimacy, however, for the purpose of good vision, mission and possible means of bringing South Sudanese back together. Seeking power legitimacy will not bring peace but chaos and will claim many more lives.
To me, building trust and collaboration within South Sudanese communities/civil society, army and other organs that can help bring the change that we want to see in our newborn nation should be the first priority. Otherwise, failing to follow the right process will neither bring peace nor promote change for the better but chaos and hostility.
The author of this article is a student who is studying postgraduate/Master Degree of Justice and Criminology. He studied mediation and conflict management and is waiting to be accredited to be mediator. He can be reached by email. His email is gatwechdeng@gmail.com
5 comments
Thank God Kiir’s government advisors are starting to put some sense into Kiir’s head. To have gone ahead with the election would have so much negative implications on the country for generations and one of the negative aspects would seriously reflect on the disenfranchised hundredth if not millions of voters and further completely endanger any future peace and peaceful coexistent. Denying one is right to have a fair chance of casting his or her vote broke up and destroyed a lot more than just the social fabric of many countries including Sudan. Now tell Kiir to step aside to save this country. Congratulations.
I think the writer of this article isn’t in favour for election to go ahead. He is neither advising to go ahead for election Kiir nor denying anyone’s right in South Sudan. He is airing his opinion like anybody else wishing to do or has done the same thing before. Gatnor, put your glass on and read this article again. I am saying this for the fact that it seems like you commented without proper reading of the article. As a person who has read this article, there’s no advice given to Kiir but disqualifying Kiir not to go ahead with election. What’s wrong about that? Improve your reading and comment on someone’s article once you know what’s in the article.
Is that a delayed reaction or you just woke up..lol. Why are you even bothering since it was months ago. Your challeng has come months too late because I have moved on. I am in April and you are in February 13, 2015 at 12:08 pm completely different timelines.
You can comment anytime if got something matchs with your interest. There’s no enacted law can stop you or anyone else from commenting. I just went through some articles and got your comments all negative. Thus, I felt to write a comment on this article replying your negative comment under it. Judge things beyond your steps-don’t be short-sighted. I don’t know who you’re but read your comments on some people’s articles. I found that your comments wouldn’t bear any positive or good judgements from readers. From there, I thought to give you suffice advises like my above comment to help you understand things better. And if follow, it may further prevent you from swooping onto something you don’t know. Just a piece of advise!!
Kiir is damn and mad individual-I don’t think that jingoism, good and kind hearted individuals would support Kiir’s evil acts. But I judged you (Gatnor) as Kiir’s supporter for the reason that you often comment against any article criticising Kiir and his government. Tell us about yourself and your favour position or allegiance on both sides (Kiir’s government or SPLA-IO under Dr Riek Machar). Which one of this do you at most support?