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

Pir-E-Kamil - The Perfect Mentor by Umera Ahmed: book review

The Perfect Mentor pbuh  (2011) is set in Lahore and Islamabad in Pakistan. The novel commences with Imama Mubeen in medical university. She wants to be an eye specialist. Her parents have arranged for her to marry her first cousin Asjad. Salar Sikander, her neighbour, is 18 years old with an IQ of 150+ and a photographic memory. He has long hair tied in a ponytail. He imbibes alcohol, treats women disrespectfully and is generally a “weird chap” and a rude, belligerent teenager. In the past three years he has tried to commit suicide three times. He tries again. Imama and her brother, Waseem, answer the servant’s call to help Salar. They stop the bleeding from his wrist and save his life. Imama and Asjad have been engaged for three years, because she wants to finish her studies first. Imama is really delaying her marriage to Asjad because she loves Jalal Ansar. She proposes to him and he says yes. But he knows his parents won’t agree, nor will Imama’s parents. That
1 comment
Read more

Flaws in the Glass, a self-portrait by Patrick White: book review

The manuscript, Flaws in the Glass (1981), is Patrick Victor Martindale White’s autobiography. White, born in 1912 in England, migrated to Sydney, Australia, when he was six months old. For three years, at the age of 20, he studied French and German literature at King’s College at the University of Cambridge in England. Throughout his life, he published 12 novels. In 1957 he won the inaugural Miles Franklin Literary Award for Voss, published in 1956. In 1961, Riders in the Chariot became a best-seller, winning the Miles Franklin Literary Award. In 1973, he was the first Australian author to be awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature for The Eye of the Storm, despite many critics describing his works as ‘un-Australian’ and himself as ‘Australia’s most unreadable novelist.’ In 1979, The Twyborn Affair was short-listed for the Booker Prize, but he withdrew it from the competition to give younger writers the opportunity to win the award. His autobiography, Flaws in the Glass
Post a Comment
Read more

The Beggars' Strike by Aminata Sow Fall: book review

The Beggar’sStrike (1979 in French and 1981 in English) is set in an unstated country in West Africa in a city known only as The Capital. Undoubtedly, Senegalese author Sow Fall writes of her own experiences. It was also encapsulated in the 2000 film, Battu , directed by Cheick Oumar Sissoko from Mali. Mour Ndiaye is the Director of the Department of Public Health and Hygiene, with the opportunity of a distinguished and coveted promotion to Vice-President of the Republic. Tourism has declined and the government blames the local beggars in The Capital. Ndiaye must rid the streets of beggars, according to a decree from the Minister. Ndiaye instructs his department to carry out weekly raids. One of the raids leads to the death of lame beggar, Madiabel, who ran into an oncoming vehicle as he tried to escape, leaving two wives and eight children. Soon after, another raid resulted in the death of the old well-loved, comic beggar Papa Gorgui Diop. Enough is enou
8 comments
Read more