Independent South Sudan

The inevitable independence of South Sudan is also awash with pessimisms as to whether the South can govern its self. One ARV (an anonymous and possibly a pen name) commenting at the New Vision website discussion merits an exception to the publishing policy of Salam Taki. The ideas are here shared with the audiences of Salam Taki. The analysis is worthy sharing.

Note: The opinions and authorship belong to the author aka ARV.

And Quote:

"....The fact that we the South Sudanese started to struggle for our independence even before the independence of the whole Sudan should not be under estimated. Illiterate South Sudanese were well enlightened enough to know what it means to be independent. How possible is it that we the current generation who went to schools where most of the African and world intellectuals studied be considered incapable of running our own affairs?

I seriously question the intellect, wisdom and even mental status of those who still think South Sudan is not ready for independence. I wonder if at all they know what independence means. I remember asking that colleague of mine in 2006 whether she thought I would not be able to do the same job she is doing for her country (as I have the same qualification to her's) when I go back to Sudan, and whether she thought having been educated in Uganda, I was not capable of managing anything entrusted to me. I actaully [sic] told her she had insulted me indirectly by implying that despite my academic achievements, I would not manage anything well. Well, I worked in Uganda and did just a good job like any other good Ugandan would do. What would prevent me from doing even better in South Sudan?

This is just a simple illustration of how ready we are. There are many more South Sudanese out there both in and out of South Sudan who will take on the role of nation building and governance. Remember, you don't need a genius to lead a country. All you need is a sense of direction - which is very much present in the people of South Sudan.

I know we are facing huge challenges, predominantly due to the nature of most of our people. We are said to be violent, hostile, aggressive, rude, lazy, and all the negative co-notations associated with South Sudanese. Some of these are indeed true while others may not be true. But these can as well be explained by the long period of struggle we went through and loss of law and order over this period meant that people took the law into their hands. Being hostile became a very crucial and inevitable defence mechanism to deter aggressors, thus protective in a sense.

Finally, I urge the prophets of doom to watch out. Their prophesies might haunt them and they will loose any credibility of prophesying again. In the April 2010 Sudan general elections war was predicted. Nothing came out close to that. This very referendum voting process violence and possibly war was also predicted. This time the message from the hostile, aggressive and illiterate South Sudanese (as people say we are) has silenced the whole world and proved beyond doubt that despite our short comings, we know what we want and how to get it right.

Our strong desire to protect and defend South Sudan will be the driving force behind our success."

End quote.

Let the optimisms be put to action. Happy New Year - 2011. Salam Taki feels this is the year of South Sudan.