Page 15 - Nile Explorer Issue 12

Re-imagining the South Sudan of the

future

The Leadership of the National Dialogue, among them, from left Hon. Abel Alier, Angelo Beda and Hon. Gabriel Yoal Dok and
other moderating the conference(JUBA), From Left the conference

For the first time since South Sudan stressing the uniqueness of the South Among the key issues under deliberations
became semi-independent in 2005, the Sudan as a people, included; Transformation of Governance
people gathered to discuss the country He, however, acknowledged that South in South Sudan; Security Sector Reform;
they want. Sudan—the youngest African country— Building Strong Foundation for South
Amidst faltering implementation of cannot survive in isolation and has to Sudan Economy: Social Cohesion; and
the September 2018 peace agreement, sometimes borrow the templates of what Implementation Mechanism for the
the over 500 delegates at the National has worked in other countries. recommendations of the conference.
Dialogue conference that started on He assured the people of South Sudan The Steering Committee of the National
November 3 to 15, made it clear for the that their views on the numerous Dialogue in its final report stated that
political leadership where the country issues affecting the country such as; the SPLM Framework for peace and
should be heading. governance, security, economy and development was not followed. The
Weary of endless conflict, the people social cohesion have been heard. improvement in the lives of ordinary
made I clear that home-gown solutions But he sought to remind the people that people, which was the hallmark of the
and national cohesion is what will save the outcome of National Dialogue will be liberation struggle, did not materialize.
South Sudan after fighting for over implemented be cause the they form the The report noted that the initially
50 years to gain self determination foundation for a national constitutional declared strategy of taking towns to
from the north, which President Salva review, and not an attempt to overshadow the people in the form of services,
Kiir described as a “historic national the Revitalized Peace Agreement. infrastructure and the use of oil revenue
conversation”. The President Kiir launched National to increase agricultural productivity
Historic it was, because for the first time, Dialogue in 2016 as part of the effort was never pursued. This explains why
the three broader regions of —Equatoria, to end violent conflicts; bring about the resources went to waste without
Bahr-el-Ghazal and Upper Nile—came political consensus to save the country achieving anything tangible. Without
together to share their vision of South from disintegration and foreign a vision, everything else human beings
Sudan and reach a consensus. intervention; and usher in a new era of become unguided and aimless,
“We also need to examine our attitude peace, security, stability, and prosperity. “Our refugees regard us, the managers
towards our laws and institutions. Since The conference was attended by of the National Dialogue, as part of
2005, we have been falsely assured that 518 delegates, representing 80 the power of our country, which sent
templates of thematic experience of counties of South Sudan, eminent them into refuge, because of our greed,
what has worked for others will work persons, political parties, faith-based ”said Bona Malwal Madut Ring, the
for us. We have been told again and institutions, civil society, business Rapporteur of the National Dialogue.
again to adopt these models by people communities, professional associations But one of the major achievements of the
who in most cases do not understand and organizations, representatives of conference is that the delegates made a
our context,” said President Kiir, while organized forces. major step towards competitive politics

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