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Discussion Board Summary

It is four months since the last summary and as always, the Politics and Governance forum led the discussions. With a record 19 topics that attracted 53 responses, political issues dominated the discussions with members giving diverse views on different matters.

The indictment of Sudanese President Omar al Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on March 4, 2009 dominated the discussions with most members expressing their satisfaction with the decision, saying that it would be a big relief to South Sudan that, they argue, has been subjected to interminable suffering by the Khartoum Government led by President Al Bashir. In Why The Indictment Of President Al Bashir Will Be A Welcome Relief (posted on February 23 2009), most members concurred that the issuance of an arrest warrant against  was not only a signal to African autocrats, but also to world leaders who bestow suffering amongst their subjects. This debate was further supported by   Is Bashir On His Way Down? (posted on March 8 2009) where members speculated on the ICC action as a sure way of Al Bashir’s downfall after many years at the helm.

Tribalism in the political and social strata of Sudan was also discussed at length during the period under review in Tribalism; Was It Practiced by Any South Sudanese Administration? (posted on April 17 2009). Most members detested the vice, saying that it posed a major threat to the pursuit of peace in Sudan.

The issue of ethnicity was equally discussed in Ethnic Conflicts Over Resources And Ungovernability (posted on April 11 2009). Members blamed the rampant insecurity in South Sudan on ethnicity and called for its elimination for the desired peace to be finally attained. Along the same lines, the recurrent clashes in Jonglei in Jonglei Another Tragedy (posted on April 21 2009) members termed it a catastrophe that needs government action and that the culprits be apprehended and subjected to the law.

There were heated discussions around the appointment of General Nhial Deng Nhial as Defense Minister in Mr.Nhial Appointment To Southern Defense Is Laced With Controversy (Posted on December 29 2008). Some members welcomed it while others read some mischief in his appointment.

During the period under review, the possibility of both the National Congress Party (NCP and the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) losing in the 2010 general elections also came into focus. In What Next For Sudan When NCP And SPLM Lose The 2009 Elections? (Posted on April 9 2009). It highlighted areas that both parties need to check and rectify since their leadership styles exhibited some weaknesses that could cost them in the 2010 general elections.

The Peace Process: Path to Reconciliation Forum also registered notable responses on diverse issues. With 16 replies from 8 topics, it emerged that the rampant insecurity in South Sudan was the biggest impediment to peace. The clashes in Malakal and Jonglei were widely quoted with members calling for action from both the Southern Sudan Government and the citizens. Malakal's Incident: Two Points Of View (posted on January 19 2009) gives a comprehensive analysis of the conflicts, not only in Malakal but also South Sudan in general.

The indictment of President Al Bashir was also quoted as an issue that would affect the peace process as seen in If Arrest Warrant For President Bashir Is Issued (posted on Jan 8 2009). Members deliberated on the possible outcome should the arrest warrant be effected and the possible suspension of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA).

The Empowerment and Capacity Building section had a discussion on the need for South Sudanese to be empowered to demand services from their government. Members recognized the fact that public service delivery was wanting with most areas suffering from neglect. The sad state of the cleanliness of Juba, the South Sudan capital, was highlighted and discussed in The City Of Juba Drawning In Waste! (posted on Apr 12 2009). Members wondered why the town continues to be in such a state and requested to know who was responsible for cleaning it up.

The House of Nationalities section which involves the activities and discussions on the diverse cultures of South Sudan to promote understanding among the communities elicited an assortment of reactions. In Diverse Cultures Make Us Better (posted on February 13 2009), members concurred that the coexistence in South Sudan by different ethnic communities shows that it can be democratic and that ethnicity may not be an issue. All that is needed is quality time to build solid institutions. Members continued to reminisce the rich cultural diversity of South Sudanese cultures with their contribution on a number of issues in Man-eater Lion Who 'changes To Human', How Is It Possible? (a discussion that started in 2006).

In the  2011 Referendum: Unity or Separation discussion forum, members contributed to the discussion on the Referendum set for 2011 when South Sudan, in accordance with the agreed terms of CPA, will decide to either remain united with North Sudan or separate and become a sovereign nation. The topic What Is The Good Choice? Received 49 responses and majority of members supported the idea of secession of South Sudan.

In the Development and Environment forum, which is the platform where the development of South Sudan’s economy and infrastructure are discussed, there were no many responses recorded. Issues such as infrastructural development, farming and the sharing of oil resources to generate wealth were up for discussion. In South Sudan Must Be Part Of East Africa (posted on 1 April 2009), a member sought to advocate for the inclusion of South Sudan in the East African economy and in Oil Wealth, How Our Neighbours Go About It (posted on 21 April) a member gave an insight of how a neighboring country, Uganda was planning to exploit of its newly- found oil wealth while in contrast, South Sudan only focused its attention on the 50 percent revenue which it is not even sure it is getting from oil that, ironically, comes from there!

The Juba University Discussion Thread continued to register a lot of responses with members giving their views on Juba University and ways of re-establishing it as a centre of academic excellence in South Sudan. During the period under review 23 replies out of the 75 posted so far were registered.

There were discussions around issues relating to Human Rights in South Sudan. A comparison of the African versus the Western world’s perception of human rights was put in the picture. Members were all however, in agreement that human rights are upheld in the west compared to Africa. In a topic posted on March 7 2009, Lucky Lady Not To Have Been Born In Africa! where an environment activist physically confronted Lord Mandelson, Cabinet Secretary for Business in Gordon Brown’s government and all shown live on television! Then she walked casually aside as officials of the minister shooed her off. Members debated on how such a woman would fair in the Sudan of Omar al Bashir/Salva Kiir Mayardit? - Indeed anywhere in Africa or anywhere in the Middle East/Asia?

The Health Matters section attracted some response with members calling for the closure of illegal clinics in South Sudan. There was a clamp down by Lakes State authorities to rid the state of quack medical facilities in Lakes State Clamps Down On Illegal Clinics (posted on March 15, 2009). However, members also called for the closure of illegal pharmacies that have been known to sell drugs to patients without proper prescriptions, sometimes with fatal consequences.

During the period under review, the crucial role played by the youth in South Sudan’s future development also came under scrutiny. In The Youth: The Future, a number of issues affecting the youth like unemployment Unemployment Levels Remain High In Eastern Equatoria State (posted on January 7 2009, alcohol and drug abuse in Alcohol And Drug Abuse - Ticking Time Bomb as well as the impact of information technology were among the key items deliberated upon. One topic that elicited a lot of reactions was the effect the internet has on the youth (who are the most active internet users) in Internet Scam (posted on April 21 2009).

The section where members shared experiences and recollections of South Sudanese, in particular those in the Diaspora equally registered a number of responses. In Reflection: Diaspora Sharing Experiences, the members had a platform to trace and even re-establish communication with long lost friends and relatives. With 33 replies, "dialogue With Elders:  recorded one of the highest hits as members were able to discuss a number of issues ranging from literature, academics and to reminiscence of the old days.

The 2008 national census continued to elicit diverse opinions from members in Census 2008 and Elections 2009. The topic Census Results Will Be Used To Plan New Ways Of Destruction (posted on 13th February 2009) attracted three replies with some members accusing the Khartoum Government of planning to use the results to manipulate the forthcoming General Elections.

Lastly, the debate on Women Rights in South Sudan did not elicit much response. Polygamy and underage marriages were, however, some of the areas where a member touched on while proposing a law that would promote women’s rights in South Sudan and hence maintain their status in the society.

As always, the opinions and news articles on Gurtong website continue to provide diverse viewpoints 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:

 17/04/2009: Tribalism: Was it Practiced by Any South Sudanese Administration?

12/04/2009: The City of Juba is Under Whose Responsibility?  

09/04/2009: What Next for Sudan Should the NCP and SPLM Lose the 2010 General Elections?

19/03/2009: The Jonglei State Problem is Another Time Bomb

22/01/2009: A Rejoinder to the Article: Malakal Clashes - Two Viewpoints by John Ashworth

19/01/2009: Malakal Clashes - Two Viewpoints

23/12/2008: Mr.Nhial Appointment to Southern Defense is Laced with Controversy

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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