‘South Sudanese people had long called themselves a failed state’

When South Sudan was included in Foreign Policy’s 2013 list of failed states, the innocent South Sudanese people felt shame. For many, President Kiir’s recent move to dissolve his entire cabinet restored some pride.

Some of the dismissed ministers were a disgrace to us. Citizens want services -- not unimplemented decrees made to impress the media.
 
If our young people had jobs they would not steal cattle. If there were services in rural areas there would be no rural-urban migration.

If our young people had jobs they would not steal cattle.And what about insecurity in Juba? Is it not economic hardship which forces young men to rob and kill people at night?

The president saved us the shame we have been carrying as citizens of this nation.

And the fact is, the South Sudanese had ranked themselves failed before being told by the world that they are among the failed states.
 
The disillusioned citizen at last has some hope now. If elections were tomorrow, I think they would overwhelmingly support the leader.

But the cabinet overhaul is not enough. Now we need to instruct the new ministers to ensure that all their officials are working in a transparent and non-corrupt way. Some entered the ministries through the back door and might taint the room the ministers are trying to clean up.

To save us from another dose of shame, they need to stamp out corruption. Junior staff had learned how to steal too, picking up tricks from their bosses who go to India, Europe or the United States for treatment when they are not sick.
 
Some security personnel are another disgrace. They have no mercy, nor morals. They use the power of gun to intimidate citizens.

They use the power of gun to intimidate citizens.Stories of corruption run throughout society. Shop owners are asked to pay for security tax for securing their wares at night but at night the same people break into their shops and steal whatever interests them. At the end of the month they are back to collect security tax.

Or there are the customs officials: Security personnel waylay passengers coming from East Africa, especially Uganda. Some officers take you to the ‘revenue’ office in a very uncivilised manner -- any question earns you a slap. In their office, you pay 150 South Sudanese Pounds (50.49 US$) for any luggage and you get a receipt for just 50 South Sudanese Pounds without explanation.

Meanwhile officials go to shops and browse as if they want to buy something. They tell the shop owner that his goods are out of date and orders him to the police station. Once there, he vanishes, taking the wares with him.

Right now national security personnel can charge you for anything they want. Money alone bails you out, otherwise you return home with a broken jaw.

Against that backdrop, who can stand up and say -- without shame -- that we are South Sudanese?