I was asked if I could write an opinion piece about independence day, as I have in previous years. But when asked, I realized I had nothing to say (yes, outspoken me).

For two years, and the decades-long struggle, I have been optimistic, albeit cautiously at times. Over the past five months, I’ve stopped writing about what I think of South Sudan. I’m disillusioned because the very people at the negotiating table who had all the power they needed before — but somehow could not place the public first — are the same people who can stop the madness, suffering, starvation and conflict. However, rather than bringing peace, they are busy carving out roles for themselves to lead the country into the future. No doubt any “new deal” will see a return to the status quo of anti-reintegration, power sharing and amnesty. Meanwhile, they have already proven they are unfit to play the leader, while there is little or no interest in justice or accountability for those who died.

And it’s not just South Sudan. I switch on the news to see that and are in yet another dangerous cycle of retaliation. More of the eye for an eye violence that we’ve grown up watching — always in shock of the horror and how quickly it escalates. The people of are now being collectively punished for decisions made by “their leaders,” while mothers once again bury their children after picking them up from the rubble. And yet some fail to see the humanity in the Palestinians’ suffering, while others fail to see the humanity of Israeli mothers, who also bury their children because they must bear the consequences for the privilege of living under the protection of their leaders and occupation. The suffering of the latter may make the headlines, but both sides suffer. Yet somehow by rationalizing that one side is “less human” makes it acceptable to unleash suffering.

Then I move on to my inbox, full of the same fear and scare tactics — admittedly in a different form — trying to make sure I too get caught up in the vitriol that has become two-party politics in the United States. I have become more than just a little disillusioned with the process: both parties finger pointing, blaming the other, rewriting and reclaiming history, while dangling our hard-won civil rights, reproductive rights and civil liberties in front of us to use as bargaining chips to settle political scores. We are the generation that has supposedly inherited a “post-racial” United States of America. Yet people who would otherwise have valid and legitimate grievances of how is running the country, instead choose to criticize him based on his skin color.

I live in post-apartheid , yet the police, mining companies and union bosses worked together to ensure miners’ dignities were denied. And when the miners were gunned down, somehow they were responsible for their own deaths because no one was held accountable.

We live in a world where we have access to more information than any other generation before us, thanks to the Internet. Yet some of us still choose to remain ignorant.

This is the same South Africa that saw its incumbent leaders flee to other African countries to seek refuge and support in fighting injustice at home. Yet these very African countries must now comply with “new pass laws” with South African authorities. Failing to produce the required papers, or even questioning the legality of the process, will have you harassed, bullied or thrown in jail.

We now live in a world where it is more dangerous for women in conflict zones than a soldier fighting a war. And where daughters are still fighting for justice against violence and for equal rights that their great-grandmothers had fought for.

Stand Up

Our generation didn’t start these fires, but are we ever going to try fight them? We live in a world where we have access to more information than any other generation before us, thanks to the Internet. Yet some of us still choose to remain ignorant and use information to prove our points rather than to try and see the flaws in our own logic. And for the very few who dare to see past their own privilege and try to help the plight of others, we are quick to ridicule them or are cynical about their armchair sympathy, verbal support and hashtag activism. Instead, we should laud the good intentions and the humanity of caring, or even provide an honest critique on how someone can redirect this energy to be more helpful.

Many of us quote passages on love, tolerance, freedom and rights written by those who came from a generation before us. Yet we never wonder why there’s a lack of enlightening, innovative or new contributions from our own generation.

So I find myself with nothing to write about South Sudan’s independence or the problems there, because sadly that country is not alone when it comes to suffering. I have nothing to write because I am trying to figure out how not to be so overwhelmed by it all. And I am trying to fathom how I can get my head out of the sand for long enough to discover how to balance the opportunities and wasted chances, the positives and negatives and, yes, how to help make it right.

The views expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect 51�Թ�’s editorial policy.

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For me, the July 9 anniversary remains bittersweet. While we celebrate the realization of an independent South Sudan, this date is also the time of the year I mourn for the two Sudans, Africa, and the world because it marks the anniversary of the loss of the late Dr. John Garang.

Eight years ago, millions of people in Khartoum gathered to hear the late Garang speak. His return to Khartoum marked what was supposed to be the beginning of a new dawn of peace for all Sudanese people. For the first time in modern Sudanese history, a massive crowd gathered to hear from a political leader. For many Sudanese, Garang the intellectual, liberation leader, and New Sudan visionary, was the last hope for a united Sudan. His presence in the capital, they assumed, meant that the long bitter war was finally over and that the dream of all Sudanese living as one would finally come true.

During his speech, Garang called upon:

“All Sudanese people and their political forces to build consensus around the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) and the INC, and use them to achieve good governance and equitable development, eliminate corruption and re-launch the Sudan, so that Sudan with its vast natural and human resources becomes a real model for the region, for Africa and indeed for the world.“

Garang foresaw that the CPA would be meaningless unless it resulted in real positive change in the lives of ordinary Sudanese citizens and provided concrete benefits for the people. Sadly, just 21 days later, the people of Sudan came out in their thousands as Garang lay in state in New Site, Kurmuk, Rumbek, Yei, Bor, and was finally laid to rest in Juba to mourn the loss of their fallen son and with him, their dreams for a united Sudan.

Independence and Disappointment

On July 9, 2011, a sense of jubilation, hope, and promise filled the hearts of many South Sudanese. Although many of the final arrangements that would allow for sustained peace between the two Sudans were still outstanding (specifically the critical issues of border demarcation, resolution on the three disputed areas along the shared border, and sharing of oil revenue), there was a sense that once South Sudan gained independence and we “reached the promised land,” we would be in a position to resolve these issues. Today, as the bombs still fall in the Nuba Mountains, South Kordofan, and the Blue Nile, Sudan and the people of the new nation of South Sudan find themselves fighting once again for their dignity, human rights, and transparency.

Two years on, restraint and patience is starting to wear thin. South Sudan’s interim constitution and numerous policies trumpet accountability, transparency, and the right to dignity. Yet, South Sudanese can no longer deny that even in their new nation, the rule of law is still not respected. Arbitrary arrest, detention, beatings, and even assassination are all consequences faced by those who dare to speak out, especially in the media. Such was the case for the late Isiah Ibrahim, a South Sudanese journalist, who knew the risks he faced by criticizing his government and yet he continued to courageously carry out what he saw as his patriotic duty.

My generation grew up being told by our parents and elders that education would enable us to participate in re-building our nation. The disillusionment, especially of young people, has colored how people view their governments. Prior to and shortly after South Sudan’s independence, criticism was tempered by the hope that once the South Sudanese government gained experience and was allowed to manage its own affairs, the people would begin to see the benefits of their struggle. Although life was tough, especially for youth seeking employment, they believed that if they could acquired more skills, they would be able to improve their situation.  

Slowly, the attitude has shifted to one of frustration. With the shutdown of oil production in January 2011, citizens of the two Sudans have felt the economic consequences of our governments’ actions and there has been increased condemnation of corruption.

Meanwhile, last year in June in Sudan, people, mostly youth, took to the streets in protest in what was called the Sudanese Spring. While we haven’t seen “Tahrir Square-style” protests in either country yet, the people of the both Sudans are resilient and tired of seeing indignity and injustice.

One day patience will eventually run out. The time is now for our governments to start serving their people. In South Sudan, many young people feel left behind and believe that employers, particularly the government and NGOs, have missed out on an opportunity to tap into their enthusiasm and commitment to re-building their nation. Shut out from the benefits of independence, they often realize they lack the connections and/or networks that often allow other candidates, sometimes less qualified, to succeed in gaining employment. The youth, who constitute more than two-thirds of South Sudan’s population, should be more involved in deciding the future direction of the country. Yet, we are often excluded from political processes that will affect the country we will one day inherit. Next year presents the first “real test” for our new nation, as we hold presidential elections for the very first time.  

Celebrating the Way Ahead

While I celebrate our many achievements on this anniversary, I also mourn the loss of possibility. I mourn that the lack of human rights justice, rule of law, and accountability in the two Sudans means that some politicians can use resource riches from both Sudans for their own gain; while keeping their own citizens poor and not providing services.

Yet, these same politicians continue to tell development agencies that our countries are poor. South Sudan and Sudan are not poor, we are resource mismanaged. As in most resource mismanaged countries, there are always scapegoats to explain the mismanagement. I am saddened when I see posturing misogynists in both countries hide under the mantel of "culture" to totally disregard women’s rights. No liberation is complete without recognition that women's rights and women are a central part of the struggle.

The SPLM/SPLA was formed in 1983 to:

“Address the fundamental problem of the Sudan, to abolish the old Sudan and establish a new Sudan; a new political dispensation; a Sudanese socio-political entity; a transformed Sudan in which all Sudanese are equal stakeholders regardless of their race, tribe, religion, or gender; a democratic Sudan where religion is constitutionally separated from the state; a Sudan in which governance is based on popular will, the rule of law and respect for universal human rights.”

By failing to fully realize the new Sudan vision, we are still failing to fully address the root causes of the problem of Sudan: marginalization. The two Sudans are a microcosm of Africa, characterized by religious, cultural and ethnic diversity. We have a very rich and proud history. We, the people of the two Sudans, are after all the descendants of the Meroe Kingdom of Ancient Kush, one of the most important ancient African and world civilizations. Embracing and managing our rich diversity is key to successfully governing both Sudans. On this bittersweet anniversary, I still remain hopeful that one day the two Sudans will no longer be making the news for conflict and violence, but for being peaceful, prosperous nations that coexist in harmony.

Today, I choose to celebrate those who struggled and continue to bring liberation to the people of the Sudans. I hope that my generation will carry the torch and move forward in realizing New Sudans. I hope my generation will always remember the wisdom provided by those who sacrificed so much for us, and that they will educate themselves, and never be complacent in the face of oppression. Years from now, I hope we will not be mourning a dream deferred, but rather that we will be celebrating being citizens of two truly democratic, accountable, and peaceful Sudans.

And maybe one day the words Dr. Garang delivered on July 9, 2005, will finally ring true: “You are free, so oh Sudanese, open your wings and fly, fly and fly to more freedom to the New Sudan of freedom and justice for all.”

The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect 51�Թ�’s editorial policy.

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