South-South Dialogue at state level.

The amalgamated committee from upper Nile State that invited the SPLM-DC to participate in the up-coming state conference in Malakal to discuss the issues concerning the state, is a step in the right direction in resolving the problems.

Upper Nile State had been in turmoil since the signing of the CPA, and because the administrations that had taken helms and responsibility in the state had not been swift to diagnosed the diseases and design to prescribe the appropriate medicine. The number one problem in Upper Nile state is the border issue between the counties and state not being strong to grasp its constitutional powers and the delay by peace commission in forming peoples committee from all the elders and tribes forming the state in what is usually referred to as mass or popular diplomacy which can easily settle some issues which do not require government intervention. The settlement of Payams’ and counties’ borders are the concern of the state. The security in the states’ is the state government responsibility.

Any governor that gives up its borders to another state, is a failed administration in the eyes of it citizens. Like What Galuak Deng did by signing and witnessing in document signature, the giving away part of his territory. There are issues which should not concern the GOSS by CPA provision. This is responsibility of the state and you can always keep trespasses at bay by law be them GOSS or other counties encroaching on others. It is enough that GOSS had already abused the CPA by spending 90% of southern budget in Juba and throwing the bony 10% to ten states i.e only one present for each state. If you give up some of your powers to GOSS, you will not develop.

The states are where the people of the south live in and need very strong governments which are accountable to state parliament and not the president of GOSS. The time of appointments has gone without return. The popular diplomacy between the tribes in each state can resolve what Juba had created in the states, and should stop listening to those peering over their shoulders. The party senior personnel are only responsible of party issues and should not be given audacity in administrative concerns in the state. Even the disarmament question could be easily effected through the native administration if the intention is not disarm some tribes leaving the others.

The committees for the elders should involve civil society, the church, native administration and these should stand strongly against the government that goes against their interest. The popular committee obliges the government to implement the resolutions of the conferences that are held for development. The conferences so far held are the one of 2008 and that of Bentiu of 2009. If we should ask how many of these resolutions have been implemented, so as to find out which ones are not implemented on the ground. This how to build. Conferences should not be talking shops, they are intended to be scientific approaches to solve certain tasks.