Academics and Journalists can change and shape the destiny of South Sudan

Academics and Journalists can change and shape the trajectory of South Sudan – if the government listens to their voices

By Ring Mayar, Canberra, Australia

Kujiek Ruot Kuajien (in white) flanked by other members of Congress of South Sudanese Patriots during Media briefing at Alliance Francoise, Nairobi on 31st August , 2015

March 28, 2016 (SSB)  —  Academics research and impartial journalists’ advice can change the country. That means that academics, and journalists have enormous power. Although in South Sudan academics and journalists group have been silenced, and the overwhelming majority are not shaping today’s public debates.

Instead, well-known think tank institutes such as The Sudd Institute, Ebony Center and Kush Institute and many more… [their] work is largely stored digitally in form of academic journals that are read almost exclusively by South Sudanese Diasporas. This clearly illustrates that the majority of policy-makers and government officials do not read these valuable policy reviews and research articles.

A Stressful Start for the Governor: Scholars are the Nightmare of Jonglei State

By Deng Kur Deng, Pennsylvania, USA

Philip Aguer at the Dr. John Garang University, Bor, March 17, 2016

March 28, 2016 (SSB)  —  It is obvious that we the people of Jonglei were elated after Governor Aguer Panyang was appointed. While touring village after village throughout Jonglei, the Governor was welcomed with happiness, in the hope that he would address outstanding state issues.

Among those people who celebrated the Governor’s nomination are those living below the poverty line and those who reside in the diaspora. But regardless of their individual situations, these people have all come together on certain key issues. We have seen countless videos and pictures that illustrate that our people are very determined to find peace, protection, better schools, improved health facilities, and prosperity for all citizens of Jonglei.

Arrow Boys: No Cantonment Areas for the SPLM-IO in Equatoria region

Press Release from Lt Gen Eng. Charles Barnaba Kisanga, the Chairman of the Arrow Boys: Cease Fire to Continue over Whole of Equatoria but no cantonment areas for IO

March 28, 2016 (SSB) —-  As Chairman and Commander Chief of South Sudan Peoples Patriotic Front (SSPPF)/Arrow Boys, I want to make it clear that Equatoria Forces are not part of SPLM-IO and Dr. Riek Machar insistence of trying to allocate his cantonment centres in Equatoria is just bringing us problems and extra fighting the people of Equatoria do not deserve. Hence I denounce his claim as inaccurate especially his meeting three days ago in Nairobi in which he continue to talk about cantonment areas in Equatoria for his SPLM-IO forces.

My questions to Dr. Riek Machar, the leader of the SPLM-IO

By Dak Buoth, Nairobi, Kenya

Riek Machar and Pagan Amum signing the IGAD peace deal

March 28, 2016 (SSB)  —  ‘‘To announce the truths is the infallible receipt for being persecuted’’ South Sudanese drawn from various informal settlements thronged the Kenyatta International Conference Center in Nairobi on Saturday to attend what they call a ‘peace rally’ presided and addressed by South Sudan first vice president designate Dr. Riek Machar and his cohorts who are involved in the ongoing war in one way or the other.

Several compatriots who are longing for peace with bated breath began trekking very early to the venue to hear, discuss and determined what kind of life we aspire to have in our nascent country. I must say the meeting hall was filled to the brims, the pictures I saw shows that the event was graced by sea of humanity; the faces of those whose photos I saw on social media after meeting indicate they have something to smile about.

Is South Sudan, like Kenya, a cruel marriage too and should be dissolved?

Kenya is a cruel marriage, it’s time we talk divorce

By DAVID NDII, Nairobi, Kenya

Do Not Confuse a Camouflaged Call for Confederation for Call Federalism

March 28, 2016 (SSB)  —-  A decade ago, Prof Bethuel Ogot, one of the country’s towering intellectuals, pronounced the “Kenya project” dead. Kenya has never been a more distant idea than it is now at the beginning of the 21st Century. Nationalism is dead, replaced by sub-nationalism. The tribe has eaten the nation. Few years ago, the country exploded into an orgy of political violence.

There may be some people who will be wondering why Prof Ogot is talking about Kenya in terms of projects and ideas. Is Kenya not a concrete reality, an internationally recognised sovereign state?

Although the notion of a nation as an idea is an old one, it is Benedict Anderson’s 1983 book Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origins and Spread of Nationalism that offered the most cogent articulation of the concept, and in so doing shaped the contemporary study of nationalism.

Does Riek Machar know that he’s also a co-implementer of IGAD’S peace deal?

Dr. Riek Machar should know that he’s also a co-implementer of IGAD’S Compromise Peace Agreement with President Salva Kiir  Mayaardit

By Philip Nyieth Arou, Australia

Politics is hindering public investment in South Sudan

March 28, 2016 (SSB)  —-  It is long overdue now since the signing of ‘unrealistic’ peace deal brokered by IGAD-Plus nations; however, it seems that Riek has forgotten that this peace accord needs double efforts on both sides in term of its implementation. The disintegration of the SPLM-IO prior to the signing shows that imaginary peace will be extremely difficult to implement because of so many disintegrated army generals in the bush who have no heart for South Sudan.

The likes of Peter Gadet and Gathoth who recently defected from the opposition vow to fight both Riek Machar’s armed forces and the government of South Sudan simply because the Compromise Proposal signed by President Kiir and Riek Machar doesn’t favor them. Both generals were sacked by Riek Machar similar to how President kiir sacked his former Vice President in 2013; and unfortunately, Riek Machar rebelled against his boss. It’s a trend isn’t it?