The State of South Sudanese National Unity
Dates: 3 December 2016 – 3 December 2016
Location: 10:00a.m - 1:00p.m; Home & Away
Organizer: The Sudd Institute
The people of South Sudan, who, in millions, overwhelmingly voted in 2011 to establish a country of their own, seem to be experiencing a slow decay of their unity. This result is not surprising to closer observers of the South Sudanese politics. Among distant observers, however, such outcome appears seriously odd and surprising. That is, those who ostensibly lack deeper understanding of the South Sudanese society get somewhat thrown into a panic leading some of them to predict the possibility of genocide in South Sudan. Others have called for the UN and the AU to takeover the country while others have asked for regional force to be deployed in the country due o fears of total societal breakdown and disharmony.
Underpinning these fears is an apparent lack a sense of national unity among South Sudanese. Over the years, South Sudan has become increasingly divided and seemingly contested along regional and ethnic fault lines. This disunity commenced with political leaders, eventually culminating in some serious divisions that threaten societal disintegration. The consequences have been devastating, with intractable insecurity, isolation, and economic meltdown rapidly taking shape.
In an attempt to spark a public debate as to how best a consensus could be built on the critical issue of national unity in South Sudan, the Sudd Institute is sponsoring a lecture. Among the questions to be covered include, why have things gotten to this point in South Sudan? Why did a nation that appeared robustly united during the referendum and Independence become so divided in a rather short period of time? What do the South Sudanese think is the reason for this state of affairs? There is limited, if any, literature, on these important questions, hence, the lecture endeavors to garner views and opinions on this important matter.
Speaker:
Abraham A. Awolich, Senior Policy Analyst, The Sudd Institute
Discussants:
Prof: Samson Wassara, Vice Chancellor, University of Bahr El Ghazal
Hon. Ayuel Monyluak, Member of National Liberation Council, SPLM
Mary Paul, Deputy Secretary for Social Welfare and Basic Services, SPLM
Moderator
Prof. George Bureng, MP. Transitional National Legislative Assembly