By Joe Kiarie
Is xenophobia taking its toll on the world’s newest state? Or is the seemingly extensive persecution of foreigners in South Sudan a mere symptom of an infant and highly impoverished nation struggling to start from the ruinous effects of a 21-year civil war?
These are the emerging questions as devastated Kenyans continue to stream back home citing unbearable aggression from South Sudan nationals.
Amukowa Anangwe, who has played a core role in setting up institutions in the new state, says it is likely that South Sudan residents have been antagonised by the enterprising nature of Kenyans.
“Kenyans are bound to do well in business anywhere they go and being the leading investors in South Sudan, it is likely the locals have a phobia for outsiders they fear might exploit their opportunities and resources. This has attracted envy and negative feelings, especially when dealing with highly impoverished people,” he opines.
He notes that with glaring income inequalities having fueled insecurity; one is bound to attract enemies if he is doing well in South Sudan. He equates the suspicion to the one Tanzanians have towards Kenyans, but says strong authorities in Tanzania have helped contain the situation.
Dr Anangwe, a lecturer at the University of Dodoma in Tanzania, reveals that South Sudan citizens have particularly been taking advantage of a Government policy that requires locals to hold 20 per cent stake in every business in the country.
He says that to comply with the rules; most Kenyans usually bring onboard locals without even without having them inject any capital into the investments. “Once the business flourishes, most local partners use blackmail or even brute force to kick out the foreigners,” he explains.
Anangwe is nonetheless quick to note that the killings and harassment is not unique to Kenyans, with other foreigners and even locals suffering similar fate.
Taking risks
He explains that being a weak state in transition after prolonged warfare, the locals are capitalising on fragile State machinery to commit crimes with impunity.
“In many places, Government presence is absolutely low. The killings and anarchy is thus decentralised and systematic and characterises a weak state arena. Until the South Sudanese government is able to establish its authority, the killings will continue without much restraint,” he states.
“It’s all about frail State authorities, weak institutions and poor enforcement of law and order. There are even places where Government does not exist at all and State officials are a law unto themselves,” he avers.
The former minister says South Sudan is still struggling to build systems after gaining independence, adding that many current laws were borrowed from the north and were not even enforced before independence due to the civil war.
Anangwe explains that in the absence of proper laws, impunity is rife, with authorities joining civilians in perpetrating illegalities.
“With the systems put in place not yet institutionalised, even Government operations and decision making is extremely discretionary. They still have a lot to learn, especially in managing public affairs,” he states.
He says that while most South Sudan prison authorities still have the discretion to determine who should stay in prison and who should be freed, civilians equally have the powers to free individuals from police custody.
Anangwe warns Kenyans with plans to invest in South Sudan to understand they are taking risks.
“State authority is very weak anyone who goes there should have that in mind. Just know Sudan is an insecure place and the citizens are still traumatised after years of war and can readily kill a fellow citizen or foreigner. If a Sudanese tells you he will kill you, he is likely to make true his threat,” he cautions.
The lecturer has spent several years in South Sudan where he had been hired by the UNDP to help put up institutions like Parliament, transform the Sudanese People’s Liberation Movement from a guerilla outfit to a political party and advise on governance.
