The Normalization of Nepotism in South Sudan

Lately, ethnic and ideological sectarianism is vigorously swallowing decent social values, particularly South Sudanese, and is replacing them with foreign indecent ones; above all, the introduction and implied normalization of nepotism. This particularly unacceptable practice needs immediate denunciation before it matures and grows roots in South Sudan, for it breeds injustice, violence, and attributes to countless factors that impede economic progress in many struggling countries.

In clearly envisioned countries, equal access to information about available opportunities is a constitutional requirement for employers, including government and the private sector. Failure to comply normally means unexceptional counter retribution dictated by the constitution. If other governments can do this, the government of South Sudan should likewise be able to perfectly impose similar laws to protect South Sudanese from themselves, with proper monitoring executive force in place. Namely, an independent and empowered judiciary system, a nationally recognized commission of employment, and a respected police force to ensure compliance can resolve this matter. Such regulatory application will end the current countrywide complains of inequality.

Similarly, when citizens of any country are equal subjects of one supreme national constitution and are uncompromisingly governed by it, that country is most likely peaceful and destined to its potential; but if the constitution is often compromised by ethnic and/or ideological interests, like what is happening in South Sudan, that country will most definitely undergo periodical violence aggravated by injustices of nepotism. Hence, every attempt to develop such a country is thwarted by insecurity due to recurring violence and intensified mistrust of government institutions by its citizenry and potential investors. Leave alone the loss of human resource that could contribute to building the country’s economy. The current armed and political unrest is a perfect example.

 Nonetheless, while nepotism undeniably serves household or individual interests in the short run, the selfish practice actually deprives employers, investors and even government institutions from best-suited contenders. Moreover, it prolongs frictional unemployment for new graduates. For example, like the trending adage in South Sudan goes: “when a minister is from a certain ethnicity, undersecretaries and employees in that ministry are likely to hail from that tribe.” Worse of all, communication in those ministries is mainly in the dominant tribe’s dialect; consequently, subtracting fractional minority coworkers from work related discussions. This is happening in South Sudan and it justifies the fact that nepotism or favouritism deprives employers and even the country from rightful aspirants. Because when building these tribal ministerial empires, thousands of deserving applicants are ignored before questionable ones are found based on nepotistic categorizations.   

In conclusion, the purpose of this brief essay is to condemn the normalization of nepotism and to encourage technocratic and egalitarian merits in South Sudan. Not just in government organizations, but also non governmental organization, including private sector enterprises.