Peace Deal Without Accountability is Like a Stone Thrown Into the Nile River Without Logical Purpose.

By Panoum Kor Chagai,

July 22, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — Ever since the current crisis in the then volatile, partially develop autonomous South of Sudan, life itself was a fortunate gift, minimal survival necessity was a daily routine as well as making sure that hope for a better future remains intact. Christians in the South were force to endure a hardship without absolute certainty about what to come tomorrow by their brothers and sisters in the North given the majority rule in the country was under the rule of Sharia Law while large part of Christians were also living in Sudan unpopular areas. In a glimpse to summaries exactly what is happening, is also to take a look at the greatest events that unfolded during the time and the previous time before the crisis evolved internally. South Sudan gain independence from Sudan on July 9th 2011 after lengthy talks, international pressures, sanctions and deals between the Government of Sudan and those wanting to see Christians in the South to become independent. I could clearly remember that dream was in the heart, was in the eyes, was in the tears, was in the mouth, and was in the ears of all including Northerns as the hardship their Christian counterparts were facing was also having a tremendous negative impact on their lives.

On July 9th 2011, South Sudan was born with a birth name and a nickname ‘democracy’. What is democracy? Philippe C. Schmitter & Terry Lynn Karl in their article (22, 103) defined modern political ‘democracy’ as a system of governance in which rulers are held accountable for their actions in the public realm by citizens. At its simplest terminology, citizens of any country are like car tyres living the steering wheel and operation of the vehicle to the leaders but that does not mean they are below leaders or others standards, it means that they chose democracy so that things are done in the way justice, equality and freedom take charge in the country. Schmitter and Karl were absolutely right about democracy yet we hardly see its true positive impact at most of our develop, and developing countries mainly those country who claim they are ‘democrats’. South Sudan is one country that had international community effort invested on however with so much lack of accountabilities, rampant corruption, injustice, inequality, intimidation, and bribery plus many, the country future looks far beyond revivable.

Reasons behind is the lack of accountability in the country since the outbreak of the internal conflict leading it to the regional negotiation table chaired by Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) as the two former leaders in the then SPLM united could not come to conclusion or seal a peace deal to end the crisis. The justice system in South Sudan is corrupt to its core, current Government personnels are only interested in their short term gains living the development of South Sudan out of sight. According to United Nations UN and Human Rights Watch HRW, the conflict in South Sudan is the worst conflict some observers ever witness in term of mass inhuman activities, systematic targeting of certain ethnic groups and undermining the rule of law which is the current (transitional constitution) in the country to guide us. Many have come to senses that this war fuelled by external players like Ugandan UPDF involvement in the country militarily under their president Yoweri K Museveni will have no positive impact let alone change anything between the two rival leaders of Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former VP Riek Machar Teny.

What have we learned from the pass about taking accountability serious is something that South Sudan leader Salva Kiir Mayardit should adopt in order to end this long 19 month internal civil war. As an example, the historic Australian “National Sorry Day” that occurred on the very first time on 26th May 1998 to remember the mistreatment of indigenous Australian by the Government of Australia mainly dominated by those who came to power from all different walk of life such as immigrants, and Europeans. The annual anniversary of Stolen Generation is a reminder that sometime things do go wrong and when they go wrong, someone must take responsibility and take courage to show accountability in order to move the nation forward. On 13th February 2008, the then Prime Minister Kevin Rudd made Australians and the indigenous community proud by taking a bold step in reminding the society that what took place in Australia history and its past should not repeat itself by reiterating the need to apologise to the community of the indigenous, Australians as a whole and the international community.

What I personally believe without a doubt is that, deep thinking and initial steps are way forward to curve tensions in any country. The current status quo of South Sudan politics require the two rivals of H.E Salva Kiir Mayardit and his former VP Dr. Riek Machar Teny to end this war peaceful or by all other means possible to end the suffering of the people however, I believe that Peace deal without Accountability is like a stone thrown into the Nile river without logical purpose. My point of view of the whole scenario is that, if the current illegal Government of Salva Kiir wants peace without addressing the grass root causes of the crisis, then it will never produce tangible fruits for the people of South Sudan as the whole wounds will continue to reopen after the peace deal. I believe in a sustainable approach to end such internal crisis which may include dealing with external players and addressing the grass root causes from its core. South Sudan is bleeding heavily and the only way to stop the bleeding is by us her citizens to work, foster and reminding ourselves about the right steps to be taken.

Panoum Kor Chagai is a concern South Sudanese by birth residing in Australia. Can be reach via
panoumkor@yahoo.com or via his Facebook page.