I have paid an extensive visit and had come back from Sudan about five days ago. I have seen and heard a lot. For one, I am happy with the journey that I took home to visit my family whom I haven’t seen for the last 19 years. My trip is both gratifying and rewarding.
That being said, I am satisfied with the way GOSS is going about its daily dealings and implementing CPA. Though slow, GOSS is moving in the right direction.
However, I have learned one major lesson from the ground; GOSS is not perfect but blind criticism and finger-pointing to GOSS high level officials is unproductive. Thus, what are expected from all sound southerners are constructive criticisms and suggestions with intent for the GOSS to improve itself.
Personally, I have seen the following urgent needs; GOSS should act on them:
Creation of Youth Voluntary Group: CPA Campaign Taskforce
Having visited many places (Juba, Awiel, Khartoum, Marial Baai, Akokreng), I am well placed to assess people’s understanding of the CPA. Mind you, I did find that a common person on the ground in the south did not have a full comprehension of the CPA. Thusly, GOSS should make efforts to ensure that any common person understand the provisions of the CPA. Rallying the grassroots around the major objectives of the CPA is the way to go. This can be done by: Establishing SPLM Political Taskforce that is charged with explaining the CPA to people Having SPLM Youth Wing whose task is to enlighten people of what CPA provides for us: rights, obligations and responsibilities.
Population Census The recently concluded civil war had resulted in mass displacement, loss of lives, crippling of the economy, institutional breakdown and lack of accountability. GOSS has got to start to build institutions from scratch. It must make haste for we are just some few years away from the conclusion of the interim period.
GOSS will be better prepared and served if it goes into referendum with its population known. Currently, no one knows the exact population of the southern Sudan. One easy way of collecting the population data is by using local chiefs. Each chief should take headcount of his people. When all is said and done, each chief reports to commissioner; the later report to the governor who in turns presents the total headcount to the concerned department.
Alternatively, GOSS can create its own employees whose job is to carry out population census.
In conclusion, each of us has a role to play in the New Sudan.
