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The Past and The Future
Past: South Sudan
Except for a ten-year period,
1972 – 1982, the people of South Sudan have known nothing
but war until a comprehensive peace agreement was signed on January
9, 2005. South Sudan has been shattered both physically and psychologically
to the extent that the people of the region are developing a new
culture of hatred and distrust. This holds particularly true for
those in the Diaspora who reflect and intensify any existing small
conflicts back home.
The post-war South Sudanese societies
at home and in the Diaspora will remain composed of largely confused
and traumatised individuals for a long time to come. The traditional
approach to addressing problems is largely lost to them; communication
opportunities have largely broken down between the youths and their
elders and between “modern” and traditionalists. Ignorance,
biased information and hatred are growing. The formerly so vital
notions of respect and self-respect are fading away fast.
The war appears to have left nothing
but devastation in the hearts and minds of the people, as much as
in the use of language in civil discourse. While the threat of the
enemy in the North is slowly receding, thanks to the peace-agreement,
the belligerent members of the Diaspora have already found new targets,
individuals or entire groups of people. Through their war of words,
accusations, slander and insults, the South Sudanese Diaspora is
deepening existing or creating new divisions at a time when reconciliation
and unity among all Sudanese are important conditions for developing
the country after the signing of the comprehensive peace agreement.
However, it should be noted that
much of the divisions and hostilities that existed among South Sudanese
lessened greatly after the Government of Southern Sudan, GoSS, welcomed
back into the fold in January 2006 much of the South Sudan Defence
Force, SSDF, under General Paulino Matiep Nhial. Hopefully, more
consolidation of unity among South Sudanese will follow this exemplary
initiative by the GoSS.
Hope for the Future
The Gurtong Peace Trust Project has reason to be
optimistic (see under "Discussion Board" below) about
future unity of the people of South Sudan. When launched in 2002,
Gurtong's main objective was to provide the South Sudanese in exile
with a forum that would enable them to exchange news and opinions
in a respectful manner, and to publish unbiased information, not
only on political but also on legal, social and cultural matters.
To achieve this goal, the Internet was the obvious
medium of choice, since it remains the most efficient vehicle to
spread the message of peace, where by people from all continents
can meet freely and join the debate on the future of South Sudan,
its values and visions.
But, aware of the society it set out to serve,
the Gurtong-Peace Trust Project did not expect miracles from a society
that has gone through such traumatic periods. Having observed through
other South Sudanese websites the use of the internet as a platform
for spreading rumours, slander and partial views, the project deemed
it important to offer a forum of a non-aggressive type to all those
numerous members of the Diaspora who want to remain proud of their
cultures and who show sincere interest in peace and the development
of their home-country. The Gurtong Peace Trust Project's website,
www.gurtong.net, has therefore been making efforts, and will continue
doing so, to eradicate ignorance of traditional cultures among the
youths and to involve South Sudanese at home and in the Diaspora
in a constructive and active manner in the process of rebuilding
their country.
The Future
Within the short time it has been in existence,
the Gurtong Peace Trust Project and its website has become very
popular among South Sudanese in the Diaspora as well as among South
Sudanese political elites. However, there is still considerable
space for improvement. The website is, like any other website of
quality, under permanent construction, in need of updating, renewal
and widening of information and improvement of contents. This task
is the first priority of the website.
These are some of planned activities of the Gurtong
Peace Trust for the next phase:
1. The Information Platform on the Website
Though already of a remarkably high standard, the information provided
by Gurtong on its website will be extended to new topics of political,
social and judicial essence and focus at same time on the life of
the communities in remote Diaspora locations.
Due to lack of infrastructure, the access to information
concerning authorities and administration of the region is very
poor in South Sudan. The Gurtong Peace Project will continue to
compile a full list of the new local administration set up in South
Sudan and provide all available information, at least from the district
level upwards, and post it on the website.
The Gurtong Peace Trust Project aims to familiarise
South Sudanese and international partners-in-development with important
aspects of political traditions and cultures in South Sudan. One
of these topics will be customary law, which, despite the fact that
over 90% of day-to-day criminal and civil cases are executed under
customary law, is very little known and its pivotal role rarely
acknowledged. The same holds true for lack of public awareness of
the pivotal role played by traditional leadership, which is of basic
political relevance in today’s South Sudan. Customary law
and the role and function of traditional leadership differ from
group to group.
The Culture Pages will eventually be completed
to provide information on traditions, customs, and languages as
well as on economic, socio-political and ecological aspects of life
in South Sudan. It should become a source of understanding and pride
for all South Sudanese, particularly the younger generations of
the Diaspora youths who are hungry for information about their cultural
identity and communities.
2. International Organisations and NGOs
Active in South Sudan.
With the signing of the final peace agreement the number of humanitarian
organisations active in South Sudan will most likely increase in
the interim period. New arrivals, individuals or organisations,
seeking information about NGOs already in the field, should be able
to log on to the Gurtong website for up to date information about
activities, location or for those in a similar field of interest.
Above all, web-surfing South Sudanese all over
the world will be better informed about the vital role being played
by the local and international NGOs in providing relief, rehabilitation
and development in South Sudan.
The Gurtong website will pay particular attention
to the updating of the list and contact of all international organisations,
local and international NGOs involved in relief, rehabilitation
and development in South Sudan. The Gurtong Peace Trust Project
expects and appreciates co-operation with and assistance from NGOs
and other organisations to accomplish this task.
3. From Discussion Board
The many contributions to the discussion-forum have made it difficult
to follow up all the arguments. To get a more comprehensive view
on the ongoing debates and to allow random visitors to find an entry
point into the discussions, the editor will in future make a timely
and necessary summary of the most important contributions and make
them easily accessible to visitors for easy reading and printing.
4. On Core Groups
The Gurtong-website is providing the Diaspora with a virtual meeting-point.
Funding permitting, it is the ambition of the Gurtong Peace Trust
Project to expand to places where the Diaspora population is largely
located (North America and Australia) as well as the usually neglected
areas (Middle East) to help organise and bring people physically
together through meetings, social events or through personal contacts.
At this stage, information on the Gurtong website on the lives of
South Sudanese individuals, families and communities in the Diaspora
is still rudimentary; and therefore practical help in providing
information to those wishing to trace friends and relatives is not
yet possible.
As many websites for the various South Sudanese groups
in the Diaspora do exist, Gurtong can plan to link up with them,
facilitate contacts and become a bridge between the different communities.
(Updated: 27/09/2007)
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