We should do more for peace in South Sudan

This week the world was reminded of the horrors of conflict in Aleppo, Syria. Hundreds of thousands have so far died in Syria’s bloody conflict, a singularly catastrophic consequence of global power politics. Iran, Russia, the United States, and a number of Arab states are in battle, and the Syrians are paying the price with their lives. The Syrian conflict reminded me of a simmering conflict closer to home – South Sudan.

The world’s youngest state has been in conflict for more than three years, with no sign of respite. No sooner had the country gained political independence than a political contest quickly degenerated into full out civil war. And since the outbreak of the war the South Sudanese have shown little appetite for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Repeated regional efforts at implementing a ceasefire and political settlement have failed. South Sudanese elites appear bent on fighting it out to the death. And their people are paying the price for it. Presently several experts are warning that the different factions’ determination to pursue a military solution to the political impasse will most likely result in genocidal acts by forces loyal to both the government and the rebel opposition.

This should worry all of us. This should worry our government, and in particular, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We cannot sit back and wait for the wider international community – including the African Union – to solve the problem of state failure in South Sudan. We were there with the South Sudanese as they navigated their painful separation from Sudan. We ought to have been there with them as they tried to set up a functional state. Having abandoned them at their greatest hour of need, we should make amends by coming to their aid now. We owe it to the people of South Sudan to save them from their myopic leaders.

Helping fix South Sudan would also be a matter of selfish interest. The country is landlocked, and so is a ready market for Kenyan goods. Our banks have operated in Juba for a long time. Our supermarkets could also open shop there if things calmed down. Our people would help set up the civil service and government administration should a lasting peace agreement be achieved. As good neighbors, we should be willing to do whatever is reasonably possible to help Juba get back on its feet.

Incidentally, as things stand, four Kenyans are in prison in South Sudan, sentenced to 67 years for allegedly embezzling money from the Office of the President. For years now the case has been reported in the media without much tangible action from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Why have we abandoned our people? Why hasn’t the government employed its diplomatic leverage to help the families of these four Kenyans? Aren’t they just as Kenyan as the rest of us? What does the Foreign Ministry know about this case that they are not telling us? Do they really believe that the trial that condemned these Kenyans to such long sentences was a fair trial?

Which brings back to South Sudan and the likelihood of a peaceful settlement. We have leverage. A lot of South Sudanese elites have parked their wealth in out towns and cities. We have strong connections to the leadership in Juba. Why aren’t we using these connections to bring the warring parties to the table and hammer out a deal that is good for the South Sudanese people? Why aren’t we pushing for the release of political prisoners? Why is our Foreign Ministry silent regarding the warnings about the potential for a genocidal on our doorstep?

After Rwanda the world said never again. Yet right now we are sitting on our hands as Africa’s youngest country walks towards the brink. History will judge us if we do not act. And the catch for us is that it doesn’t all have to be altruistic. We genuinely stand to benefit immensely, as a country, if peace is ever achieved in South Sudan.