South Sudan: Independence from Tyranny to Tyranny

The independence of South Sudan from its Northern part was a victory to every South Sudanese, especially, those who account for the 98.83% of ballots casted for secession from Sudan in the historical January 2011 referendum. On July 9^th, 2011, South Sudanese from all walks of life celebrated the fruit of their decision, including those who didn’t take part in the referendum for some reasons and the few that voted for unity. However, the celebrations didn’t last long. The people of the now four-year-old country have been plagued by the manifestation of the satanic nature in mankind by those they praised as living heroes.  

Abruptly after South Sudan general election in 2010, which preceded the popular referendum and subsequent independence, Lieutenant General George Athor Deng, of the Sudan Peoples Liberation Army (SPLA), rebelled against the Government of Southern Sudan. Mr. Athor wasn’t satisfied with the pronouncement that he lost his bet for governorship of Jonglei State to the current minister of defense. Mr. Kuol Manyang Juk. A similar story of suspicion over the electoral process was also echoed in Eastern Equatoria State, but didn’t trigger a rebellion like in the case of Jonglei. Anyways, George Athor and those loyal to him orchestrated a number of attacks against his former comrades. According to BBC, Athor was accounted for killing of several SPLA soldiers and about 200 civilians in one attack before he was fatally killed on the 20^th of December 2011.

Although George Athor’s rebellion ended with his death, the government of South Sudan saw many more episodes of deadly armed rebellions by the so-called “Living Heroes”. The Authoritarian Government of Salva Kiir survived rebellions from Peter Gatdet Yaak, David Yau Yau, Johnson Olony, and many more. Most of these armed confrontations against the government were silenced by meaninglessly offered amnesties that brought rebel leaders to golden stars and very generous rewards. The president of the republic, Salvatore Kiir Mayar, made it sound like rebellion and killing of innocent civilians were commendable acts worthy of national recognition. However, the apparent practical lesson to South Sudanese here is: For one to have the government’s attention, he must criticize the government, run a parallel government, open and run home-based prisons, and pretty much anything that endangers everybody, the government, and the state.

Moreover, the painful fact here is: none of these/then “Living Heroes” chose to rebel for the sake of it. Some were unjustly treated within SPLA/M; some had their ownership rights violated by their higher ranked comrades; some saw their relations tempered with; some rebelled to fight attributes of tribalism and corruption in the country; some saw their jobs taken from them by presidential decrees for unknown reasons; and some witnessed avoidable death robing their families on their watch while the president and his Ugandan counterpart abuse the use of alcoholic drinks. Other members of the government, on the other hand, a league of former rebels and favor seeking statesmen, are blindfolded by some concepts of protectionism and the weaknesses of job-baggers’ unconditional support. Everyone is working for his personal or group interest, while the majority civilian population is subjected to all forms of live taking insecurity. Despite all these, Salva Kiir demanded another term in power after 10 years of apparent failure in governance. Just like a vampire wanting to preside to ensure continues bloodshed.  One couldn’t resist asking the following question:

Why celebrate this Anniversary while being deliberately subjected to various insecurities by these “living heroes”?