Skip to main content

Ten lessons for an emerging nation: Southern Sudan after secession


In January 2011, southern Sudanese voted almost unanimously to secede from the mostly Muslim, Arab north. A new country will thus emerge.

From the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between north and south Sudan in January 2005, to the referendum for secession or unity in January 2011, southern Sudan has had six years of autonomous government. In that time, government ministries have been established and regional local governments have been formed. Six years of working toward a stand-alone government have paved the way for their transition to becoming a new country. Yet, there are many challenges ahead, just as there are for any new country.

Below are my ten challenges facing the new Sudan:

(1) The Name of the Country – whether the new country is known as South Sudan, or by any other name, it will evoke ownership, loyalty, patriotism, and nationalism amongst its people, and therefore it should be a name in which all residents can proudly say: I am XXX, just as we proudly say, I am Australian, or I am American.

(2) Democracy – as the country works toward democratic values, it should be recognized that advanced democracies provide effective governance where new and alternative representative groups emerge and where all voices are heard

(3) Provision of Social Services – a government that advances and improves the quality of living through the distribution of resources, employment, education and training, fairly for all citizens enhances public esteem and dignity

(4) Government Anti-Corruption – corrupt government representatives and organizations lead to public dissatisfaction and mistrust of politicians and law makers and therefore corruption at all levels should be mitigated and eliminated

(5) Media Transparency – combined with professionalism, transparency and neutrality, press freedom is essential for defending vulnerable and voiceless citizens, sensitizing communities to democratic values, and promoting awareness of global, community and development issues

(6) Mutual Tolerance and Coexistence – inclusivity in a country’s Constitution can herald a beacon of tolerance, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect between people of different races, languages, and traditions

(7) Human Rights – championing the cause of victims of crimes, injustices, abuse, hate, discrimination and other violations of human dignity is a government’s responsibility to ensure the security and well-being of its people

(8) Rule of Law – support for the rule of law includes domestic, regional, and global issues, such as the fight against human trafficking, illegal goods trafficking, drug trafficking, and corruption, and the promotion of criminally fair and independent justice to ensure stability and peace across the country

(9) Robust Economy – a major commitment to economic growth, entrepreneurship, creativity in business, and fiscal responsibility, as well as enhanced foreign investment is a challenge for any government

(10) Managing Change – environmental, social, and political changes, as well as changes arising from population growth and ageing, all require innovative solutions for a healthier world and its people



Dr. Martina Nicolls is the author of The Sudan Curse (2009) and Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010).
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The acacia thorn trees of Kenya

There are nearly 800 species of acacia trees in the world, and most don’t have thorns. The famous "whistling thorn tree" and the Umbrella Thorn tree of Kenya are species of acacia that do have thorns, or spines. Giraffes and other herbivores normally eat thorny acacia foliage, but leave the whistling thorn alone. Usually spines are no deterrent to giraffes. Their long tongues are adapted to strip the leaves from the branches despite the thorns. The thorny acacia like dry and hot conditions. The thorns typically occur in pairs and are 5-8 centimetres (2-3 inches) long. Spines can be straight or curved depending on the species. MARTINA NICOLLS is an international aid and development consultant, and the author of:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Suda...
1 comment
Read more

Hop on hop off bus tourism comes to Tbilisi, Georgia

City Sightseeing buses have arrived in Tbilisi. The iconic red double-decker buses, a feature of many cities around the world since the company was established in Seville, Spain in 1999, is now in six continents and almost 100 cities. The company established its Tbilisi business in November 2013, with its operations commencing in February 2014. The 90-minute tour stops at 11 major locations in Tbilisi (with 2 to 5 minute waiting times at each location): the Old City (where it commences), Freedom Square, Rose Revolution Square, Marjanishvili Square, the Dry Bridge, Konka, Avlabari, Metekhi, Akhundov Museum, the Sulfur Baths, and European Square. Passengers can hop off at any stop and see the sights, hopping back onto the next bus at any time. Alternatively, passengers can remain on the bus for the whole tour and take photographs when the bus stops at each location. There are one day (24-hour) passes (for 35 lari – about $20) and 48-hour passes for 55 lari, with family d...
2 comments
Read more

The Knight in the Panther Skin by Shota Rustaveli (2015 translation): book review

The Knight in the Panther Skin (12th century, this edition 2015) is a recent translation by American poet and author, Lyn Coffin. The author, Shota Rustaveli, is Georgia’s most loved poet. This poem is mammoth, a magnum opus – it is 1,656 verses long, separated by chapters. But readers, don’t give up, because every verse is worth reading. It is akin to 1001 Arabian Knights, Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, or Shakespearean poetry. King Rostevan of Arabia has a daughter, Tinatin. She loves the knight Avtandil and he loves her. Verse 368 from Avtandil: ‘The doctor’s could do nothing. A dark twilight on my heart now pressed, I was on fire because of love, but nobody knew or guessed. They blamed my blood. The king decided bleeding my arm would be best; I let it be done to hide the suffering I had not confessed.’ But a knight in panther skin is seen weeping, and subsequently kills the king’s soldiers, sparing the king. Before Tinatin weds Avtandil she r...
Post a Comment
Read more