ADVOCATING DEMOCRACY

"THE ONLY THING NECESSARY FOR EVIL TO TRIUMP IS WHEN GOOD MEN DO NOTHING"
Edmund Burke. British Statesman. (1729-1798)

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Stability in south Sudan is a priority

After nearly four decades fighting for freedom from oppressive government in Khartoum, south Sudan last January voted overwhelmingly with 98.6% in a referendum for independence of south Sudan. The referendum result was received with celebrations all over the world. The referendum vote as stipulated in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA)would end Khartoum grip of the south on July 9th 2011.

Nevertheless, several former militia group have rebel against the interim government in Juba, accusing it of corruption and mismanagement. The challenge has thrown most southerners into doubts of stability in the new nation.

The recent clashes between south Sudan army and the rebels this weekend, where 57 people were killed in the fighting, indicates that the threat is real and measures are needed to maintain stability before July 9th 2011. But the government of south Sudan seemed busy with the preparation of the long awaited independence, compromising the security of its people.

I have evident to believe that Khartoum government is arming the militia group with aim to force south Sudan into a fail state situation, in order to confirm to international community that the people in south Sudan are not ready to rule themselves. They are seriously angered by the overwhelming result of the referendum which they expect to be in favor of unity.

Should south Sudan government react by fighting the rebel, what would happen? I don't know the answer, but I can assume that any hostile reaction from the government will only fuel the already sectarian political division. Given that those rebels are from the same ethnic group, there will be a conflict of revenge rather than conventional guerrilla war fare to aimed at addressing grievances politically or militarily. It is clear that some individual just want to fulfill their personal interests.

The rebels should pursue peaceful political settlement to avoid instability that will drain all the available resources and kill the aspiration of southerners. We are tired of military struggle and it is time to solve political differences through negotiation.