South Sudanese are yearning to have a productive unity government, where leaders see to it that politicians are apointed not only based on inclusivity alone, but reflects on their previous records of performance in public service.
One of the provisions of the peace agreement in the formation of the unity government is inclusion of all parties, 35 percent representation of women and youth.
Expressing their expectations to CRN, South Sudanese from Juba, Torit, Yambio and Rumbek say they are tired of war and they need the unity government to implement the agreement and work according to people’s interest.
They add that citizens have been faced with a lot of challenges including poor performance from the government sector, corruption, insecurity, law pay of civil servants and many others.
A South Sudanese civil society activist Rajab Mohandis hopes the leaders have reflected on the previous records of performance before appointing the politicians to various positions.
‘As citizens, we are calling for elements of competence; consideration of record of performance in public service in different sector. There are fellow South Sudanese who have demonstrated in competencies and corrupt practices in their responsibilities and they are not being able to deliver services to our people effectively; we representatives who will change the situation in the country and ensure that they effectively manage public resources.
He calls for trust and confidence to reconcile and heal the wounds of South Sudanese.
Mohandis says people who are known to be arrogance must not be part of the government.
‘People who are known for arrogance and who cannot help community in our society to unite should not be part of the government because they will always cause more divisions and will not help the country forward; parties should appoint a cabinet that will help change South Sudan and transform the country and implement the key provisions of reforms in the agreement; reforms in the laws, in the institutions of the government and particularly in the security sector’, the Activist desires.
Another citizen Samuel Malith says South Sudanese are faced with a lot of challenges under SPLM ruling party.
‘The challenges we faced, there was so much rampant insecurity, there was killing all over the country, most of the people are jobless, communal violence; so we expect this government to come and disarm all the civilians who are carrying guns so that we live in a peaceful society’, Samuel stressed.
He adds that he expects a government that will work according to people’s will and unite South Sudanese.
‘We don’t want again this corrupt generals to be in the government again because they will repeat the same scenario that has happened and that will bring us to suffer for long time; we want a government to bring in people who have this country in their hearts, people who can bring peace and people who will reconcile this diverse community so that we can be united again’
Baraka John is also another South Sudanese who appreciates the leaders for their commitment and expects the new government to consider freedom of expression as very important.
‘South Sudan is lacking freedom of expression. When we talk of freedom of expression, is very crucial that the transitional government has to recognize that freedom of expression is very important; citizens should be given chance to express whatever they see that is not going right in the country’, says John.
South Sudan civil war broke out in 2013 after President Salva Kiir Mayardit sacked his Vice President Dr Riek Machar Teny, where many people were forced to take refuge in foreign countries and others were internally displaced.
The South Sudanese say they want a government that will not send people to war.
A government of national unity is a broad coalition consisting of all parties or all major parties in the legislature, usually formed during a time of war or other national emergency.
South Sudan parties however, delayed the formation of the unity government twice due to outstanding issues including the number of states and boundaries. They agreed to form the government after President Kiir accepts to return from thirty two to ten states plus Abyei administrative area.
Ibasi Patricia of Radio Emmanuel, contributed to this story.