By Agar Mayor Gai-Makoon

South Sudan is at the crossways with two alternatives that can determine the future of our citizens. The first one is to sweep aside the peace agreement that put an end to the deadly civil war that claimed hundreds of thousand lives. This is a very unpleasant and evil alternative and citizens do not expect it. They do not want it at all, and do not even wish to talk about it.

But the fact that this path keeps presenting its signs could position it as an issue of discussion. The head-to-head confrontation of the White army soldiers with the SSPDF last week is a visible sign of an impending collapse of the 2018 peace agreement. This is because the government considers the white army as allies of the country’s main opposition party, the SPLM-IO. And anything done by this group could be faulted on the opposition, and perhaps, it could severely hamper the agreement.

Contrarily, the tense situation now in Nasir and Ulang counties is interpreted differently by the opposition. They deny their connection with the white army, and describing it as a separate force with a distinct mission from the SPLM-IO. Until now, the two-sided interpretation of the clashes cannot be properly reconciled by the citizens. It is difficult to figure out the true side of the events that unfolded in Nasir County, because of the dishonesty from both sides that the minister of information admitted in his recent address to the nation.

The second alternative is to redeem and protect the agreement from collapse. The parties to the agreement can do this by salvaging the situation in Nasir, and making sure that the remaining part of the agreement is implemented in letter and spirit. The recent rhetoric from both sides, and the citizens are only but a prolongation of the journey to the unwanted end. We have to be honest to ourselves, parties and people whose property and lives have been devastated by the conflict since 2013.

The events have demonstrated that the agreement has no committed protectors and those willing to witness peace in this country. This second option is what is needed by the citizens. And it is up to the parties to the agreement to do what the citizens want or not. But I would suggest, just like any other South Sudanese has done, that the agreement be preserved and implemented. However, here are a few things that the SPLM and SPLM-IO can do to protect the agreement and collectively work towards realization of a lasting peace in South Sudan.

Engage the white army to stop the fight and adopt better avenues for presenting their grievances to the government.

Build true political parties. It is so sad to admit that there is no single political party in South Sudan. We only have a bunch of tribal groupings clothed in political party dressings. These tribal groupings cannot bring peace and unity. It is the prerogative of the leaders of these groups to transform them into national political platforms that can attract anyone from the sixty-four tribes. They should be built on ideological basis so that the needs of the people align with political ideals. When we do this, we will have replaced armed conflicts with conflict of ideas—which is only solved by the citizens through elections. Let’s move with the world so that when we plan to do something, it has to be truly and satisfactorily done. We should have a nation at heart and anything done must always add positivity to the people of South Sudan.

Implement the security arrangement without fear or any bias. This protocol is very important in the agreement because it serves two purposes. It could stop the potential eruption of another conflict because no political party or individual would influence them, and it could as well allow military leaders to build a strong national army capable of protecting the citizens, the borders and other national interests. It is sad that until now, we still have numerous militias in the country and not much efforts have been exerted by the unity government to have the security arrangement protocol implemented. The unity government must hear the unity call from the citizens of South Sudan, and stop inciting and inducing them into wars that are senseless, evil and overtly tribal.

The writer has a background in socio-political philosophy. He currently studies medicine at Ain Shams university, Cairo, Egypt. He can be reached on +201129107334, or thieng.thiengwada@gmail.com.