The struggle for freedom and dignity
Enraged by systemic, racialised indignities, they picked up arms and headed to the bush, not knowing if the next day would be their last on this ‘potential heaven’ transmogrified into a ‘purgatory’ as Catholicism would love mankind to believe. They were perhaps incognizant of the extent to which the consequential decision they made would forever change the Sudan. Dr John Garang de Mabior and his senior SPLA comrades in arms were in their late thirties and early forties, when systemic injustices against the marginalised were no longer bearable. Their own dignity, love for their people and country warranted days of unending trek, thirst, hunger and sleeplessness. Without a defined form of compensation, young men and women voluntarily left behind their families and joined the war of liberation. In all corners of the country, day in and day out, death looked them in the eye. Thousands of these men would never see their loved ones again.
The confronting state of affairs eventuated because successive Sudanese regimes ran the country like a "satanic farm." Khartoum-based political elites, demagogues and religious fanatics preached and propagated hatred and prejudice. Sections of Sudanese society were taught to despise and degrade other Sudanese they deemed inferior. Being Sudanese was demonstratively a romanticised identity. As a matter of fact, Sudanese who identified with ‘Arabism and Islamism’ thought upon themselves that it was their divine right to routinely "drown," diminish other Sudanese they deemed less than them. The forged identity was a marriage of convenience, a ticking time bomb. The national atmosphere was toxic, infested with hatred and discriminatory policies, rules and laws.
‘Our struggle for dignity, freedom, democracy and good governance…our struggle for justice and equality for all irrespective of their tribe, ethnic group, race, religion or gender are indications that nobody is anybody’s majority, and nobody is anybody’s minority.’ Dr John Garang de Mabior.
Would you prefer to be ‘the head of a dog or the tail of a lion?’ This intriguing, thought-provoking question I borrowed from a "good Samaritan," keeps visiting my mind. What does this expression mean in relation to the protracted Sudanese problems? All humans, perhaps, just desire to live in a rule-based, just and fair society, rather than wanting to be the head of a dog or the tail of a lion.
The geographical Sudan, the largest African country was/is endowed with so much, many natural resources other nations are envious of. The Mighty Nile River, vast arable land, bountiful wildlife, breathtaking rain forests, plentiful rainfalls, precious minerals, oil, gold, routinely found on valleys and rocky streams, not to mention the diverse, energised human capital. One can argue that these endowments signify Sudan as the ‘Garden of Eden,’ the land of ‘milk and honey.’ Nevertheless, successive, tyrannical Sudanese regimes squandered these endowments. In the Sudan, man-made ethnic identities, religious beliefs and superior-inferior perceptions replaced the essence of being human.
The birth of nationhood
Over two decades of annihilating, brutal civil war felt like two hundred years. Who would forget all the horrific consequences! Thousands of people maimed and killed. Confronting scenes of destitution, of innocent, vulnerable people everywhere. Hundreds of families wiped out. The regime’s forces and SPLA traded frontline wins and losses. The ruthless civil war stalemated.
But light shone at the point of despair and hopelessness. January 2005 birthed a beacon of hope and restoration. The Compressive Peace Agreement, CPA was the child all Sudanese people had waited to be born.
“Peace will bless us once more with hearing the happy giggling of children and the enchanting ululation of women who are excited in happiness for one reason or another,” John Garang at the CPA signing ceremony.
The geographical Sudan was changed forever. The SPLA/SPLM, a historical movement on whose platform millions struggled in dignified silence formed the autonomous Juba-based government. For millions of South Sudanese and marginalised people of Sudan, CPA was uplifting and inspirational. Bashir’s regime had no choice but to cooperate. SPLA hardened commanders turned politicians found themselves at the helm of a monumental transformation. Joy and hope were visible in the air. "Free at last" was a rejuvenating expression on every South Sudanese lip, whether they were inside or outside the country.
CPA fundamentally silenced had-been roaring guns, at least for the time it did. Like morning dew, peace tried its best to crawl, flowing out to all corners of the Sudan. The downtrodden in dignified silence, "marginalised of the marginalised" as John Garang put it, wholeheartedly embraced the dawn of peace. Rejuvenations and celebrations sprang up in all corners of the country, people’s modest expectations flowing in the air. Essential needs: security and service delivery were at the top of the list. CPA provided hope. South Sudanese have had enough of war and its untold consequences.
Like manna from heaven, oil money and international donors’ financial aids began to pour into South Sudan. Time and again, religious devotees and enthusiasts, evoked their perceived scriptural prophecy. The prophesied land of Cush, that flows with ‘Milk and honey’ was now manifested. But only if the "freedom fighters" turned politicians had consciously absorbed what these expressions potentially meant. History will tell if the freedom fighters turned politicians fully comprehended the ‘New Sudan Vision’ as articulated by the SPLM leader, John Garang.
Sadly, dark forces, enemies of Sudanese people suddenly capsized the starring boat. They assassinated ‘Moses’ at the most critical moment, suddenly leaving the marginalised orphaned. Despair and hopelessness insidiously returned. Nevertheless, the Juba-based CPA guardians safely passed the torch to ‘Joshua,’ albeit for a different reason. It soon became apparent the freedom fighters and their despotic cronies suddenly seemed oblivious of what they had fought for. As of the words of Andrew Brown, South Sudan rapidly became a ‘Devil’s Harvest.’ All pivotal socio-economic pillars and indicators pointed in the wrong direction. Perhaps "Intimately starved" freedom fighters turned their "imagined voyeurisms" into experiential scenes. Sex workers from near and far flocked into Juba, the then dustiest city on earth, trading their "tarnished femininity." The satanic scenes were just the beginning.
National priorities
The national priorities were crystal clear. Peace and security, modern roads and transport systems, clean water, schools, health centres and hospitals, housing and power generation were urgent foundational socio-economic pillars. Considering the dire state of affairs in the country, these imperative pillars were measurable, practical and achievable.
‘The SPLM is a forum in which citizens shall have a right to ask their government representatives; where are the hospitals, the school buildings and the roads you promised to construct. The SPLM is a forum in which citizens have a right to report a member of the SPLA to face justice in the court of law if he has committed crimes against civilians.’ Dr John Garang de Mabior.
The vision ‘Moses’ had defined and championed was now left with ‘Joshua’ to implement. History will outline and narrate how ‘Joshua’ allowed the vision he had fought for and entrusted with vanished in plain sight. The nation, South Sudan, of which millions had sacrificed their dear lives to be born and to prosper is still writhing ever since.
Security
Peace and security are two sides of the same coin. At the advent of peace in the whole of Sudan, as stipulated in the CPA, immediate security implementation in all parts of South Sudan was imperative and urgent. South Sudanese had never experienced nationhood, their shared identity and its fruits. Throughout the struggle for freedom, John Garang in all of his memorable speeches, traversed all the liberated areas and educated South Sudanese on the importance of unity and patriotism. Of all the patriotic qualities SPLA propagated, Dr Garang emphasized unity intertwined with patriotism because unity holds and maintains national fabric and cohesion.
However, to realise and cement peace and security, all SPLA freedom fighters needed to be strategically and patriotically turned into professional army and police. They needed competent, professional training to instil in them what it means to be a member of these unenviable national bodies. Above all, their health and well-being were paramount. Those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice, as well as those alive and their families deserved immediate compensations. Unfortunately, this is now well overdue. All SPLA arm forces in transition, who had volunteered for over two decades, deserved physical and mental examination and treatment. Twenty-two years of struggle, hardship had taken indescribable toll, particularly on the freedom fighters. How does patriotism and loyalty to one’s country look like? All men and women in uniforms deserve to be well-fed and looked after. Their financial rewards and benefits are indeed priorities if they are to competently and professionally execute their duties and responsibilities. Their mission is straightforward but difficult: Protect all citizens and the country from both internal and external threat and danger. No unauthorised civilian must carry a weapon.
Roads
At the dawn of the people’s revolution, modern roads and transport system were critically important. They were top priority. But why have the SPLM government failed, so miserably to build modern roads and infrastructure? Didn’t the top leadership internalise John Garang’s famous, visionary call of duty? ‘SPLM will bring towns to people, he said, ‘not people to towns.’ Did the freedom fighters turned politicians realise how crucial modern roads and transport systems are in bringing about national development and transformation? Without good modern roads and transport systems, there is no sufficient movement of goods and services, no security maintenance, no movement of people, resulting therefore in no economic growth and development. Market accessibility, increase trades and employment are conditional on good roads and transport systems. Imagine that in 2005, the SPLM leadership prioritised connecting all regions and major towns, South Sudan would be a middle-income country at presence. Poverty is the ‘real devil.’ Considering billions of dollars that flowed into nascent country, poverty would have been eradicated by now.
The Mighty Nile
Imagine the SPLA ‘New Sudan vision’ had been unlocked. Would poverty be still meandering, rampant, degrading lives in the country today? Imagine that the desired peace and security had been achieved at outset, and that a government for the people and by the people was established, would South Sudan not be a middle-income country today? River Nile is an indispensable natural endowment. If Egypt is referred to as a gift of Nile, then what would South Sudan be referred to? Only a handful of countries in the world are blessed with abundant fresh water, available all year round, like the Nile is to South Sudan, Sudan, Ethiopia and Egypt. The mighty river is a potential source of permanent clean water, hydroelectric power and irrigation. If peace and security were omnipresent all over South Sudan, and a competent, responsible government in power, clean water would now be available for all citizens.
Developed nations including Australia, Singapore, Canada, United Kingdom, and many others, depend on dam water horned from catchment areas. It is continuously and sufficiently available year in and year out. These countries cannot drill water from underground because it is as salty as the frozen Lot’s wife. This water is purified and pumped through pipes. This engineered water system is the heart and blood of networks of cities and towns. Water rationing is non-existent. If the Juba government had prioritised clean water for all citizens, all over the country, all water-borne diseases including typhoid, bilharzia, worms, etc, would have been eradicated.
Agriculture
Before the twenty-two-year civil war uprooted and denigrated people and their livelihoods, subsistent farming was sufficient to nurture and sustain life all over South Sudan. South Sudan is the ‘Garden of Eden,’ the prophesied land of ‘milk and honey.’ UN and its relief, which have now come to characterise South Sudanese survival were non-existent. Given the land and its treasures, husbandry in essence requires little effort in most parts of the country. Parts of Eastern, Central and western Equatoria could feed the whole country and with surplus to export. Cattle rearing, livestock keeping, and abundant arable land for various grains production in Bahr el Ghazal and Upper Nile are huge sources of economic stability and prosperity. Fishing in the Nile is another great economic potential. What about permitted hunting? It has, since time immemorial, contribute towards food security. Imagine John Garang’s economic vision had been implemented, both subsistent and large-scale farming, agriculture in general, would now be thriving. Endowed with enviable, invaluable natural resources, South Sudan is the prophesied land of Kush, that flows with ‘milk and honey.’ Unfortunately, no salvation will come from without, and there are no miracles.
Schools
Without a well-planned, well-organised, visionary education system, no nation really exists. Irrespective of tribe and gender, South Sudanese people, in their numerous attempts to overcome the enemy and restore their dignity perished in their millions. Why did our fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters pick up arms and waged guerilla warfare against various Khartoum-based regimes? This was not just to restore our dehumanised dignity, but to educate and open our children’s eyes and minds to know their endowed rights, essentially.
Imagine in 2005, following the formation of the government of South Sudan, GOSS, the national leadership declared that all South Sudanese children born in this year of peace, regardless of their tribal and ethnic affiliations, would at least be ‘Year Ten Graduates’ by the year 2022. As one of the top priorities therefore, the government could have built primary and secondary schools (not to mention vocational and higher institutions) in all villages and towns and employ well-trained competent teachers. One important factor that attracts qualified teachers is a regular reward package. Well-planned education system is critical in any nation because it majorly determines the future of a country.
National identity is built, not given. South Sudanese picked up arms because the enemy took advantage of our illiterate people. They dehumanised us, discriminated us, and marginalised us. Considering the other critical priorities, over 80% per cent of South Sudanese population would by now be literate. Tribal arm raids and abduction of women and children could have diminished. Unfortunately, majority of South Sudanese children born in 2005 are today illiterate. It is currently estimated that over 75% of South Sudan population is youth. Imagine that this percentage was literate, educated, many fundamental things would be pointing in the right direction. Look at the present level of tribal, ethnic affiliations and conflicts in South Sudan! Had John Garang not been assassinated, South Sudan education system would not have been in its current dismal state? National affairs would not be this dire and hopeless.
Health centres and hospitals
What would you first do with your freedom after spending half of your life in trenches and destitution? Were those who survived horrors of the protracted, brutal Sudanese civil war blessed, fortunate? One would think that honouring all the departed and living heroes and heroines be one of a government’s priorities. The arm struggle against various Sudanese regimes was a monumental task. It was government’s responsibility to compensate all the martyrs and their families. Imagine the billions of dollars that flowed into the nascent country!
All South Sudanese people, in one way or another were traumatised by the protracted civil war. Not only were the living heroes and heroines needing financial rewards, they also needed treatment and rehabilitation. Health centres and hospitals could have been built in all critical areas all over the country. Adequate financial rewards could have been offered to attract and maintain trained nurses and doctors.
Why didn’t the SPLM government declare a state of emergency all over the nation? Why didn’t the government prioritise building health centres and hospitals? During the war, Life expectancy was around 40 years, particularly in South Sudan and other marginalised areas of the Sudan. Nevertheless, since 2005, nearly 20 years later, this figure did not improve much. It is now around 54 years. The answer is crystal clear. In South Sudan, health care is the poorest in the whole world. And this is not because of lack of funds, but because of lack of vision fused with greed and smothering corruption and embezzlement of public funds. Treatable diseases and illnesses are silently killing South Sudanese, particularly the poor who cannot afford to go for regular medical check-up. The war survivors and older generations plagued by chronic health conditions face the greatest risk. Where will salvation come from? Despite sustained religiosity in the country, divine intervention might still be 40 years away.
Housing
Shelter is a physiological need. In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, shelter is a lower-level basic need that includes breathing, food, water, clothing and sleep. Following GOSS formation in 2005, construction of public housing, primarily for all the war veterans including families of all martyrs could have concurrently commenced. Public housing was/is crucial if only the war veterans, freedom fighters turned demagogic, despotic politicians had their nation and people at heart. Led by ‘Joshua,’ the flag bearers quickly lost sights of the reasons they had picked up arms and waged the annihilating civil war against various brutal Sudanese regimes.
Conclusion
The ubiquitous plaguing human condition, greatly manifested in the geographical Sudan, is a product of wrongly schooled human nature. This is tragic. Life is really about managing positive and negative aspects of being human, such as birth, growth, reproduction, love and death. Thus, in a given situation called the human condition; matured, conscious humans do their best to maximise the positives and minimise the negatives. How many South Sudanese political leaders, entrusted with power and authority, for this matter, are cognizant of their own human nature’s destructive, self-consuming tendencies and predispositions? It seems the law of hypnotic rhythm; conditioned behaviour has robbed ‘our leaders’ of ability to self-examine and reflect. Upon what can the people project their frustrations: war trauma, limited education, chronic poverty! Haven’t the political figures allowed animalistic instincts; zero-sum mentality, ignorance, greed, unconscious tribal and ethnic affiliations run wild? If they were to come back today, what would the founding father, Dr John Garang, and all our martyrs say to South Sudan’s current political leaders?
Since the signing of CPA, 20 years on, and given a visionary, transformational leadership, South Sudan could have become the prophesied land of ‘milk and honey.’ Ignorance, the greatest Satan, and poverty, the greatest evil, could have been diminished in South Sudan. Peace and security could have filled all corners of the country. Water-borne diseases could have been eradicated. Modern roads and transport systems connecting all regions and towns could been built. The abundant arable land would be producing sufficient food. Good schools could have been established and literacy rate would be above 80%. War veterans and families of martyrs could have been compensated and pensioned off. They would be living in dignity, grateful for the sacrifice they made. Public servants would be paid on time. All men and women in uniforms, tasked with protecting the nation and its people would be looked after as a priority. No nation really exists without well-trained, competent men and women in uniform. Major cities and towns could have been electrified.
Tragically, South Sudan, a vast nation of roughly 15 million people (maximum estimates) and endowed with so much potential wealth and resources, supposedly the biblical ‘Garden of Eden,’ is still languishing in pain and agony. Extreme poverty and destitution are rampant, widespread, raging across the nation, wreaking havoc from east to west and north to south! Did the over 2 million people the protracted, brutal civil war claim, perish in vain? Didn’t they die so that all the marginalised and downtrodden could live in dignity in their own country?
"Our blood will be shed because I hate oppression and marginalization of our people, but I will not even enjoy the fruits of this struggle. After our job is done that generation will take over; they will cut a large piece of land with pangas and sell it cheaply for a bottle of bear." Dr John Garang de Mabior.
Why have our ‘freedom fighters, liberators’ again perpetuated marginalisation, discrimination and degradation they had fought against? Why have they inflicted pain upon the very people they purportedly liberated? History and the blood of our martyrs will surely provide answers to these fundamental questions.
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