By William Madouk
South Sudanese citizens have launched a National Network Against Tribalism (N’NAT) to combat segregation and nepotism in the country.
Tribalism has remained a longstanding issue nationwide and as a main factor contributing to persistent skirmishes and instability among communities.
The anti-ethno coalition will focus its main efforts on ensuring peaceful co-existence among communities and curbing tribalism in South Sudan.
Speaking during the launch on Friday, N’NAT Chairperson, Mat Michael Bangich, said the objective of the network is to shun tribalism and enjoy the rich diversity South Sudan possess.
“We came up with it [N’NAT] because we identified our problem, which is mostly tribalism. Our objective is to ensure peace and stability among communities, and we say yes to diversity,” Bangich said.
He said that hailing from various tribes in South Sudan, members of the organization would like people to accept one another as one people.
According to Bangich, the organization has put together a five-year strategic plan from 2023 to 2028 to witness a radical change in the country.
“The work of the government alone cannot bring peace to every corner, but if we put our hands together, we will reach more people,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, N’NAT’s communication secretary, Ms. Suzy Anthony lamented that tribalism has destroyed the nation and broken the existing social fabric.
“We all know that tribalism has destroyed South Sudan, our opinion, and our unity because of tribalism. We ruined everything,” said Suzy.
Suzy attributes the existence of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country and fleeing of other citizens into camps in neighbouring countries, to tribalism.
“All these camps exist because of the ethno-hatred,” she added.
She appealed to citizens to help the network to curb tribalism and called on civil society organizations and well-wishers to offer moral support or in kind, to enable spread messages of peace and love.
According to Suzy, the anti-tribalism coalition would spread messages of tolerance and peace through seminars, drama, music, football, radio talk shows, and dialogue at the national and grassroots levels.
The event launched under the theme “No for tribalism, yes for our diversity as South Sudanese,” was graced by Hon. Permena Awerial Aluong, the third deputy speaker of the national parliament.
Ms. Margaret Aquilo, the chairperson of the CES Women Union, said that women were tired of inter-communal conflicts, adding that women and girls suffer all women over South Sudan.
“I urge the youth of South Sudan to come together; we should leave behind our traditional beliefs. If we leave behind the tribalism, there will be no war in South Sudan,” she said.
Aquilo said women have no tribes.
“Even at home, it’s our duty to make children understand that we are all South Sudanese,” she added.