Dr.Machar, Our Expectations From You as Incoming President of South Sudan

Dr.Machar Restore Democracy and Return Power To the People

By Ter Manyang Gatwech,

Kampala, Uganda

July 5, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — Dr.Riek Machar Teny, people of South Sudan have been waiting for you since 1983-2013 to restore the lives of the people of South Sudan from bad rulers. Now the time has come for you, to restore democracy and return power to the people.

Dr. Machar we are expecting you to bring the development by empowering the people of South Sudan and Institutions at every level of society including public, private and civil institutions; improving access to basic services; increasing people participation in decision making; assisting in developing people’s capacities; and enhancing government; responsiveness, transparency and accountability in South Sudan such that we reside as superior nation in the whole world, not as underdog and a failed fragile state of Salva Kiir.

The return of power to the people would be in line with the six points of your programs, which you outlined, during the conference of Pagak in 2014. The first point in your program is the restoration of democracy. The people of South Sudan are entitled to democratic government, not the awful government like President Kiir’s government that kills its own citizens without prejudice since 2005.

It is the right of the people of South Sudan to have democratic government. The Sovereign power in the land must be the population, not the government. The State shall be guided by the principle of Federalism and devolution of governmental functions and powers to the people at appropriate levels where they can best manage and direct their own affairs.

Federal systems shall be the principle applied at all the level of local government and in particular, from higher to lower local government units to ensure people’s participation and democratic control in decision making.

What Citizens Expect from Dr. Machar’s Leadership

1. Citizen’s Rights:

In a democracy, every citizen has certain basic rights that the state cannot take away from him or her.  These rights are internationally recognized and guaranteed.  Everyone has the right to have their own beliefs, including their religious beliefs, and to say and write what they think.  Everyone has the right to seek different sources of information and ideas.  Everyone has the right to associate with other people, and to form and join organizations of their own choice, including trade unions.  Everyone has the right to assemble and to protest against bad government.  However, citizens have an obligation to exercise these rights peacefully, with respect for the law and for the rights of others.

2. Federalism

More and more democracies are adopting federalism, or some form of decentralization. According to this principle, each government function should be performed by the lowest level of government that is capable of performing that function effectively.  Only the national government can print currency, conduct foreign policy, manage trade and borders, and provide for the nation’s defense.  However, local or provincial government best manages local matters, such as community services.  Local authorities are better able to know and respond to the immediate needs and interests of their citizens.  Federalism promotes national unity by distributing power and resources more fairly around the country, bringing government closer to the people, and allowing local communities some control over their own affairs.  Democracy is more stable when power is devolved along geographic lines and not according to ethnic or sectarian divisions.

3. Separation of powers and Independence Judiciary

In a democracy, the exercise of political power must respect the law, the constitution, and the will of the people, through the decisions of their (elected) legislative representatives.  This requires that power be separated so that the head of government and his ministers do not have the power to make the law or to interfere in court cases.  In a democracy, the executive branch implements policies and programs, administers the national budget, and conducts national affairs.  It may also propose laws, but only the parliament may enact legislation, including the budget.  Only the courts can decide the guilt or innocence of individuals charged with a crime, and only the higher courts can determine whether a law or a government action or policy is constitutional.

4. Democracy

Democracy is a system of government in which the people in regular, free, and fair elections choose a country’s political leaders. In a democracy, people have a choice between different candidates and parties who want the power to govern.  The people can criticize and replace their elected leaders and representatives if they do not perform well.  The people are sovereign—they are the highest authority—and government is based on the will of the people.  Elected representatives at the national and local levels must listen to the people and be responsive to their needs.

5. Participation

The key role of citizens in a democracy is participation. This takes many forms.  Citizens have an obligation to become informed about public issues, to monitor the conduct of their leaders and representatives, and to express their own opinions.  Participation also involves voting in elections, debating issues, attending community meetings, becoming involved in private, voluntary organizations, and even protesting.  However, political participation in a democracy must be peaceful, respectful of the law, and tolerant of the different views of other groups and individuals.

6. Rule of Law not rule by law

Democracy is a system of rule of laws, not rule by law, or an individual.  In a democracy, the rule of law protects the rights of citizens, maintains order, and limits the power of government.  All citizens are equal under the law.  No one may be discriminated against based on his or her race, religion, ethnic group, or gender.  No one may be arrested, imprisoned, or exiled arbitrarily.  No one may be denied his or her freedom without a fair and public hearing by an impartial court.  No one may be taxed or prosecuted except by a law established in advance.  No one is above the law, not even a king or an elected president.  The law is fairly, impartially, and consistently enforced, by courts that are independent of the other branches of government.

In conclusion

The purpose of this article is to educate those who do not know you physically. I Honorable, Ter Manyang Gatwech, I know you physically   and therefore, our people are waiting for you to bring hope to them.

The Truth Must Be Told………………………………….

The author is an administrator and the Chairman of Ayod Community in Uganda.  Get me now;mapam0775@gmail.com or termanyang24@gmail.com

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