By Theem Isaac Machar
This country is not ours. It is a secret the masses have never known. We are a million miles away from the citizenship of this nation.
We must know this bitter truth, though there’s nothing anybody can do about it. Besides the lack of good roads, good health facilities, a stable economy, poor governance, poor education, and all other shortcomings, a government official once declared, “We are happy in South Sudan. Anyone who is not happy should leave the nation”. I wish I had talked to him; I would tell him that citizens are suffocating and can’t find a space for happiness.
However, anybody, and it’s limited to the oppressed who assume that they belong to South Sudan, should today stop such a white lie. For us to have full control and consideration of our nation, we should pull money together and buy the country. I am not writing this stance for fun. I am driven by my evidence-based findings.
How much is South Sudan? Is a question that has been asked by many, both within and outside the country? The title itself raises concerns about the potential alarm for the nation to be bought by impoverished masses. This is a worrying prospect for the citizens of South Sudan, who have already faced immense challenges in their pursuit of democracy, freedom of speech, and basic human rights.
One of the most pressing issues facing South Sudan is the lack of democracy. From the look of things in this nation, further elucidation looks at how the whole nation has become a small village lived in by individuals whose priorities are more of themselves, excluding the masses. A country where justice, equality, and fairness are thrown into a dustbin. It has become the home of an individual who solely decides and executes duties for the country.
A nation where those up do not want to come down and those down can’t find a breakthrough to climb the ladder. Children born after independence would witness two-time elections if they were citizens of the United States of America.
To keep the ball rolling, let’s look at another major issue. Lack of freedom of speech. Journalists and activists who dare to criticize the government or raise sensitive issues are often subjected to harassment, intimidation, and even violence. This has created a climate of fear and self-censorship, where people are afraid to speak out for fear of retaliation. This lack of open dialogue is hindering efforts to address the root causes of the country’s problems and find sustainable solutions.
In addition, the citizens of South Sudan have expressed concerns about the lack of priority given to their needs and well-being. Despite being rich in natural resources such as oil and gold, the majority of the population lives in poverty. Corruption and mismanagement of national resources result in the siphoning off of wealth from the country, leaving the citizens with little to show for it. Basic services like healthcare and education are severely underfunded, and infrastructure remains poor.
The killing of the masses when they talk about painful issues is a tragic reality in South Sudan. In recent years, there have been educated nationals who met their life termination. We live a life of regret and sorrow just because our voices are barricaded.
To sum up, I will conclude that salary delays in South Sudan are a common issue that has led to widespread frustration and dissatisfaction among the workforce. Many employees go months without receiving their salaries, leaving them unable to meet basic needs like food and shelter. This has caused a ripple effect throughout the economy, as people have less money to spend on goods and services.
The economic recession in South Sudan has only exacerbated these problems. The country’s dependence on oil exports has made it vulnerable to fluctuations in global oil prices, which have plummeted in recent years. This has led to a significant decrease in government revenue, making it difficult for them to meet their financial obligations, including paying salaries on time.
The combination of salary delays and the economic recession has had a devastating impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. Many have been forced to take on multiple jobs just to make ends meet, while others have been driven into poverty and despair. The government needs to address this by allowing us to buy the country for our money and enjoy the rights and privileges of true citizens of South Sudan.
Have a blessed day!
The author is a third-year student at the University of Juba School of Education, Department of English Language and Literature.