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Discussion Board Summary
1st May 2009 - 30th June 2009
It has been two months since the last summary and yet again, as has been the case, the Politics and Governance forum led the discussions, recording 20 topics and 51 responses.
The discussion on Politics and Governance was dominated by the launching of a new SPLM-DC party by Dr Lam Akol on June 6, 2009. In Splm-dc Launched (posted on June 6, 2009), most members did not agree with the decision by Dr Akol to form a new party. They say that the move is not right, as much as south Sudan needs more political parties for the desired democratic system of governance to be realised. Most have the opinion that this party is financed and used by the National Congress Party (NCP) to undermine the SPLM and the CPA. In the same discussion about this new party, most members referred to the 1991 split that caused so much havoc in the south. However, other members are enthusiastic about this new party and say it’s a chance for a democratic change.
In Latest Reshuffle By President Kiir: A Case Of Playing Musical Chairs. (posted on May 31, 2009), members reacted to the latest reshuffling of the Government of Southern Sudan Ministers and some state officials, arguing that the reshuffle has been done many times before since the formation of the government in 2005 and no good results have ever materialised out of the reshuffles since ministers are simply switched around. They argue that in order to curb corruption, undersecretaries should also be reshuffled.
Tribalism; Was It Practiced By Any South Sudanese Administration? (posted on April 17, 2009), continues to highlight issues of tribalism within the Government of Southern Sudan. Some members feel that this vice was instigated by previous regimes and continues to haunt South Sudanese, even at present. Members in discussing this topic, appeal to all citizens of South Sudan that it is not enough to come from a certain ethnic community, but rather to unite as South Sudanese and set common goals. In editorial: Splm Rejects Censorship Openly (posted on May 19, 2009),an argument arose that accuses the SPLM of endorsing the media bill in Khartoum and not openly admitting doing so. Some members defend the SPLM by saying that even if the media bill was passed, the SPLM does not have structures in place yet and can do nothing at the moment until the bill is passed in parliament.
Peace Process: Path to Reconciliation forum also recorded a notable number of topics and responses; 6 topics and 16 responses. In North Sudan Troops On Their Way Back North (posted on January 9, 2009), members continued to debate on this issue, expressing optimism on the return of the northern troops to the north and leaving the South Sudan oil fields. This is viewed as a step towards achieving the implementation provisions of the CPA. Who Is The Richest Man In South Sudan? (posted on May 15, 2009) brought out the discussion of some moral and development issues in South Sudan since the signing of the CPA in 2005. Some members say that some of the businesses in Sudan were started through stolen money by individuals who were looking for quick riches, while others say that it is good that some of our people have embarked on business and that this practice is good for the reconstruction of the country.
Matters of national importance arose in Endorse The Spla Night (may 15th) In Honour Of Our Heroes And Heroines (posted on May 29, 2009) where members proposed that there should be an SPLM night on the eve of the May 16th in memory of those who sacrificed their lives for the country during the struggle.
In the Development & Environment forum, Nile Commercial Bank: Victim Or Culprit ? (posted May 25, 2009) highlighted the issue of corruption in the GoSS. Members discussed this topic, condemning the corrupt practices that they say are rampant in the government, and argue that these corrupt practices are a setback to development and reconstruction.
In Human Rights Issues, matters of human rights and right of speech were discussed following a warning issued by the Sudanese Union of Journalists in Warning By "Sudanese Union Of Warning by Sudanese Union of Journalists. Who are they? To whom is it responsible? (posted on May 23, 2009). Here, members questioned who these people are and to whom this organization reports. It also came out clearly that instead of issuing threats, this organisation should seek membership of other media bodies to the union.
The Reflection: Diaspora Sharing Experiences forum brought members to tell different folk tales and exchanged the stories and even different versions of these stories. These discussions created some kind of a light atmosphere in the forum as humor was injected in to the discussions by the storytellers. The members proposed that they should discuss more of these stories often on the discussion board.
Under the House of Nationalities forum, the Dinka Ancestry (posted on May 26, 2009), the members discussed aspects of culture, especially the Dinka ancestry, a discussion triggered by the cultural pages contents on the Gurtong website. The members discussed and agreed that Garang is the father of Deng and not the other way round, according to the Dinka mythology.
In the Census 2008 and Elections 2009 Discussion Forum, Campaign For Kiir's Presidency Of Sudan (posted on April 16, 2009), the issue continues to generate members’ concern on the forthcoming general elections. Members are confused and seek to know whether or not President Kiir has agreed to stand for the Presidency or not. Some say that Kiir’s standing for Presidency and possibly wining it will change the lives of most of the marginalised Sudanese in general. There has been a continued debate on what the right choice would be; should President Kiir remain South Sudan’s president or should he contest for the national seat and what would this mean for South Sudan.
Satire was brought out in "bungle In The Jungly" (posted on May 15, 2009). The members discussed how different communities’ mother tongues often influence the way they speak. For example, the Dinkas have a problem with ‘f’ and ‘p’ while the Azande and Adio have a problem with ‘r’ and ‘l’. The topic deviated a bit to discuss the personalities of different communities and that South Sudanese usually appear very serious. The response was that smiling and saying sorry is a sign of weakness and so they avoid these. Some members differed and said that it is not all South Sudanese who portray this kind of culture, but some.
Surprisingly, the forums on the 2011 referendum and elections have been rather silent in the past two months, with only a few members raising issues here and there. With the elections just around the corner and the referendum closing in soon after, it would be expected that these would be the busiest of the forums.
Other topics that came up within this period are listed below.
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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