Could this be final nail on the coffin of South Sudan’s economy? Are some of the events in 2015 to be blamed??
By: Abraham Daljang Maker
2015 is just a few clock ticks away from us, and 2016 is in its final installation. Telecom companies are no longer friends on the pretext of currency devaluation; phone calls on customers are unbearable. Thus, talking on the phone becomes optional. Food is scarce in the market and expensive. South Sudanese pound puts on tatters begging American dollar for 18.5 only.
Clans’ clashes in former states of Warrap and
Lakes plus cattle raiding were on the front pages of newspapers in Juba and top
stories in most local radio stations. Several presidential Decrees, aka.
“Degrees” by ordinary members of the society were also dominant on South
Sudan’s Television. Beneficiaries were so jubilant with “degrees” while the
victims of the “degrees” walked home with scornful faces.
There were a lot of rebellions and road attacks
that occurred in the same year. Western Equatorias cities of Yambio, Maridi, and
Mundiri were rocked by violence, displacing hundreds of people, if not
thousands. A handful of people got killed in Yei-Juba road, Kajokeji-Juba road
and Nimule-Juba road by “unknown gunmen” the same so-called “Unknown gunmen
also rocked Juba city, and many people went missing in broad daylight, but
still people maintained that “unknown gunmen” killed so and so
The economy has been on its deathbed since the
year 2015 pooped in with a lot of US dollars under umbrellas along the streets
of South Sudan’s capital Juba in the hands of individuals; who cannot even
strike a conversation with foreigners due to their inability to speak another
language other than their mother tongue. It was said that those individuals are
used by some few elites who buy American Money in the Central bank at a rate as
lower as 3.2 South Sudanese pounds and then give it to their brokers who sits
under Umbrellas in the scorching sun to sell the currency at an abnormal
profit.
Many people have been burned alive by the fuel
tanker which burst in Western Equatoria’s town of Maridi. That unfortunate
incident was attributed to biting poverty which is feasting hard on the people
of the young nation. Accusing fingers pointed to the national custodians who
were said not to have initiated some income generation projects to help local
citizens cope with life. Some critics also blame insecurity. Because
people could not reach their destination by road, many airline companies took advantage
by piling people on a cargo plane, some lucky dudes made it to their
destination, but some didn’t. In November, the plan crushed killed dozens of
people, leaving only an infant and one adult.
This bombshell rocked the country, the creation of 28 states in the country. The campaign has started already hoping that the “Employment” opportunity will be realized because conditions have been broken down almost to the tribal or community levels. Oppose the creation of these states at your own risk because people will pour out their anger on you as if you will reverse the ruling. I hope it won’t be like the shutdown of oil wells in 2012 over the issue of Sudan- South Sudan disagreement, the jubilation of the shutdown of oil wells was short-lived when the economy almost scrambled to its knees.
Fresh hope for New Year 2016
With the arrival of the opposition groups into
the country, some people are told by their lucky horoscopes that 2016 is a good
year for peace. The formation of a transitional national unity government is
the only hope of some projects to be postponed to await this crucial fertile
moment in which the economy is expected to improve.
The formation of 28 states seems to be the cake
of the year. Discussions are everywhere: banks, markets, churches, saloons,
kitchens, and even bedrooms. Some people have already visualized themselves in juicy government positions in their microstates.
Expectations are centred on V-8, fat salary, new titles
of Honorable aka. “Noble or Horrible” by some MPs, etc.
But the question of wealth creation remains an issue, especially to the
right-minded individuals who think this won’t help while micro states preachers
await their fortune to knock at the door.
Governors of the newly created states are
already promising paradise to their citizens; comes that day when they sit in
their new offices, and everyone will see how the Messiahs will deliver their
promises to the citizens. The question of high prices remains unanswered,
but some eagle-eyed individuals believe that food will be abundant by the mid
of January. How and by who lingers in the minds of everyone, some pessimists or
doubting Thomas are sceptical about this.
The writer of this piece still believes that
LOVE IS THE HIGHEST OF ALL THE VIRTUES, an Inscription
on his favoured T-shirt. With the love of one another, South Sudan won’t
be suffering as it is today. With love, there would be no stealing of public
funds, no revenge killings, no unknown gunmen, no rebellion, and many more. So
welcome 2016 on board; we have much hope in you.
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