Discussion Board Summary
27 August – 18th December 2008
It is three months since the last summary and as always, the Politics and Governance forum led the discussions.
The heat of discussions in this forum centered on the sacking of Honourable Pagan Amum from the Government of National Unity Cabinet Affairs Ministerial position in Splm Secretary General Sacking Appropriate (posted on 24 September) which has elicited 14 replies so far with members supporting and /or disapproving the sacking. There are those still calling for his sacking as SPLM secretary General in Chairman: Remove Hon Pagan Splm Secretary General! (Posted on 8th December).
There were also discussions on the allocation of ministerial positions in the Government of National Unity, with some members saying that it is impossible to have two Vice Presidents in a government of national unity because that does not represent the unity that is said as the GoNU. This is seen in the piece Is It Possible To Have Two Vice Presidents In The Shared Government? (Posted on 1 December)
Discussions around the appointment of the chair of the Electoral Commission, Abel Alier, recorded mixed views with some members questioning whose interests he would be representing, especially in the forthcoming elections. In Abel Alier As Chairman Of Elections Commission (posted on 27 November), some members are skeptical about his relationship with the National Congress Party (NCP) as they feel he might be used to manipulate the 2009 elections.
During the period under review, the status and role of political parties in South Sudan also came into focus. Most parties were found to be without clear strategies for the forthcoming elections, with some even lacking party manifestos to sell their agenda. With 9 replies, Southern Political Parties (posted on 26 November) attracted a lot of attention owing to the weight put upon political parties in the run up to the general elections.
Governance of the SPLM also came to the limelight in "Tribalising Splm Party In Canada" Label, (posted on 21 November) where most members expressed their disgust at the way party affairs are run in the Diaspora. This is further supported by Concern Over "ethnic" Appointments In Canada (Posted on 8 September), which received 6 replies.
In a turn of events, Gurtong came under scrutiny when a member questioned Gurtong’s neutrality in the Kiir/ Riek debate in reporting its news in Is Gurtong Becoming Tribal Pro-kiir?(posted on 6 September). This stems from the fact that lately there has been a lot of information and articles touching on President Kiir in line with the upcoming elections.
The Peace Process: Path to Reconciliation Forum also registered remarkable response on diverse issues. In the discussion forum, issues arising from the signing of CPA in relation to reconciliation among South Sudanese and particularly the involvement of Other Armed Groups (OAG) and the participation of the Southern political parties in the GONU were discussed.
In Sudan's Peace Process Continues With 12 New Fighter Planes (posted on 22 October), members were drawn into the discussion by their concern with the progress of the peace process. The buying of arms is viewed as a threat to the peace process and comes in the wake of an arms sale scandal involving the neighbouring country-Kenya, where heavy artillery alleged be headed to Sudan via Kenya, have denied was hijacked by pirates along the Somali coastline - (though South Sudan has denied ownership of the arms as Kenya claims them as hers).
Al Bashier Will Never Escape From Nightmare (posted on 22 October), reminds members about the International Criminal Court (ICC) case against the President of Sudan, Omar Hassan Al Bashir. It is however, perplexing that no responses have so far been seen on the issue.
The Darfur conflict is discussed in The Splm 'roadmap' For Solving Darfur Crisis. (Posted on 1 October) with members calling for Sudanese courts to try all suspects involved in the conflict.
Several opinion pieces formed the discussion items and members were not happy with with some SPLA members who have persistently created discontent in the party in the past. In Spla Saboteurs (posted on 18 September), 3 replies have so far been given with members giving an insight into the history of the SPLM and its turbulent past that is causing tensions in the party and which members feel needs to be addressed.
There were discussions on whether the SPLM will triumph in the forthcoming elections Can Splm Win The National Election? (posted on 18 September).There were cases of members doubting whether the party will be able to sail through without the support of Nuba Mountain and Southern Blue Nile regions.
In the Development and Environment section, the question;Are the efforts of the Government of South Sudan, NGOs and private or corporate businesses achieving the expected development needs, and what is their impact on the environment?, reminded members of the need for concerted efforts to initiate development through investments. A posting South Sudan Sets Terms For Foreign Investors was posted on 26 November for members to brainstorm on the best way to bring in foreign investment for development.
There was a discussion on the high cost of living in South Sudan capital, Juba in High Cost Of Living In Juba – Is There A Solution? (posted on 26 November). It has so far received one reply. Members felt that the GOSS and GONU should work towards encouraging productivity through for instance giving loans to those who want to start business and local production like farming since South Sudan is well endowed with natural resources that can improve the standards of living, if well utilised.
There were discussions around issues relating to Human Rights in South Sudan in the Human Rights Issues section. This is one area that has gained popularity since the signing of the CPA which has brought about the demobilisation, disarmament and re-integration efforts. Attempts are being made to address matters such as human rights abuses to gender issues such as child abductions. A major discussion topic
Bashir's Agents Continue To Violate H Rights (posted on 27 November) castigated the persistent and blatant intimidation and arrest of human rights activists by the Khartoum Government.
During the period under review, the ideals and expectations of the youth for South Sudan, particularly in the areas of education and development of the economy elicited reactions from the members. In Goss Thanked For Supporting Ea Students (posted on 5 December ),the Government is hailed for supporting the education of South Sudanese youth in tertiary institutions in East Africa and a discussion on parenting and upbringing of the youth in Sudanese Citizens Trained On Parenting The Kiwis Style ( posted on 14 November ). There was also a call to involve the youth in efforts to attain peace in Sudan in Involve Youth In Road Map Of Peace (posted on 27 October).
There were discussions on how the diverse cultures of South Sudan can be utilised to promote understanding among the various communities under the House of Nationalities forum. In On Bari Grammar In Particular, Sudanese Languages In General. (posted on 12 December), a member asked for any Bari speakers in the forum who could explain certain grammatical aspects and said that more needed to be done to improve the reception and use of Bari language.
During the period under review, there were discussions on matters of interest to the South Sudanese community. These ranged from corruption, local party politics, American politics, and literary works to the judiciary. In the recent historic elections in the United States, won by the first Black-American, Barrack Obama, a total of 16 replies were registered in Who Are America-sudanese Voting For (posted on 24 November).
Conspicuously dormant was the the 2011 Referendum forum, which did not register any new responses. This remains one of the most sensitive areas, especially at this time when unity or secession runs deep in the minds of many members.
Lastly, the debate on Women Rights in South Sudan has elicited response with members supporting the need to uphold women rights in the South Sudanese society. Similarly, the members were of the conservative opinion that women need to maintain their status in the society, even if awarded the rights they claim to be denied. In Women Rights (posted on 1 December), members gave diverse views on the topic.
As always, the opinion articles on Gurtong website provide wide-ranging perspectives of topics covered and insightful views have been made. Gurtong recommends that you have a read as a number of topical issues have received diverse reviews.
Some of the key opinion articles that drew members’ attention included:
Chairman: Remove Pagan Amum as SPLM Secretary General!
08/12/2008
Honourable Pagan Amum Shall not be Left Alone to Carry the Cross of Separation of South Sudan
09/12/2008
Tribalising the SPLM Party in Canada: a Rebuttal
17/11/2008
Price of Electricity in Juba: Perhaps a Reflection of Dismal Failure
17/11/2008
Tribalising SPLM Party in Canada is Un-Patriotic and Narrow Minded: a Rebuttal
17/11/2008
It is recommended that those who
have time to spare should go through the whole posting and select
what they like for themselves.
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