The latest report by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan reveals that the inter-communal violence in Jonglei and Pibor administrative areas were well planned and funded by politicians who pretend to stop it.

Published about a week ago, the report confirms a remark made by President Salva Kiir during a peace dialogue conference between the two communities in Juba in January.

Kiir blamed politicians for being wolves in sheep clothing; supporting and funding violence through traditional chiefs, then claim to be the bridge between the disagreed communities.

The conference was one among many held to finding lasting solutions to the crises in the country. A sprawling number of committees set up by the executive branch of the national government to embark on fact-finding missions were blocked in conflict-ravaged areas.

During the reconciliatory dialogue to end the intercommunal violence in Jonglei and Pibor concluded in Juba, Dr. James Wani Igga, the Vice President for Economic Cluster accused politicians of fuelling crisis by spewing divisive rhetoric among communities.

“I went to some places and found out that in fact politicians have a big role in this conflict, but we have turned around to say what is wrong with you South Sudanese yet we are the ones setting the fire, this will never take us ahead,” Igga, head of the high-level committee to address the Jonglei, Pibor conflict said.

The sentiment was echoed by President Salva Kiir on the last day of the conference in which the President vowed never to again mediate a repeat of a conflict perpetrated by “responsible politicians”.

Crying and wiping tears, President Kiir blasted officials for playing hide and seek reiterating that the national government will not intervene to quell any tension that could re-emerge among communities.

Ironically, these are the same people who were present at the three-day dialogue and the (living) suspects could be really tormented by their guilty conscience for the role they played in the 20-year-long conflict.

Even as the Jonglei – Pibor dialogue concludes, alarming reports of cattle raiding leaving a trail of casualties in Terekeka County are emerging, the government should not overlook it because failure to address it could destabilize the State and consequently the whole country.

In his closing remarks, Kiir, out of anger, vowed not mediate a round of intercommunal violence instigated by politicians. The statement sent a shockwave across the nation and among South Sudanese in the diaspora.

While his statement was interpreted from different perspectives by different people, it is safer to say the statement was rhetorical. The President has a constitutional mandate to protect the citizens no matter how bad a situation has gotten. He has no choice but to find solutions to address matters of national concern. 

If politicians are the people behind the intercommunal conflicts, one thing becomes certain; the government should fish them out and make them account for their actions.

Now that all Governors and their deputies have been appointed, it is time for State leadership to get down to work. It is not going to be all-milk-and-honey, leading a community rooted in violence is a mammoth task.

The role of Members of Parliament is key. Under the Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan, however, the role of parliament in the operations of national affairs has been bequeathed to the dustbin of oblivion.

Since the signing of the revitalized peace agreement in February last year, the new government has strategically delayed the reconstitution of the legislature perhaps to avoid being held to account for their actions.

Back to the Jonglei – Pibor saga, deployment of soldiers to safeguard the two areas was part of the resolutions signed on Wednesday.

In several instances, soldiers deployed to protect civilians become unruly and making perpetration of violence against civilians their main mandate. This is common in cases where the soldiers are not given basic supplies.

The phenomenon has been compounded by forces who have completed training but have not yet been unified despite earlier announcement by National Security Advisor Tut Gatluak on the new year’s eve.

Whatever the case, the UN report was explicit in its finding. Politicians use traditional leaders to coordinate and execute attacks among communities.