South Sudan’s Broken Promise: Tribal Politics and the Urgent Need for National Unity

By Paulino Minyiel

 

South Sudan entered the global stage in 2011 as the world’s newest nation, born from decades of struggle and unimaginable sacrifice. Independence promised peace, dignity, and prosperity. Today, that promise lies in ruins.

 

When asked how South Sudan can move forward, political leaders often respond with tribal blame: “X and Z tribes are the problem.” This rhetoric is not governance—it is a dangerous abdication of responsibility. It reveals a painful truth: South Sudan does not have national leaders; it has tribal representatives. These leaders, who once swore an oath to protect the nation, now preach division and ignite conflict. They manufacture crises without solutions, while families bury loved ones and children go to bed hungry.

 

The consequences are staggering. Since civil war erupted in 2013, 383,000 lives have been lost. Over 2.3 million refugees have fled to neighboring countries, while 10 million people—two-thirds of the population—require humanitarian aid. Poverty grips the nation, with 76% living below the poverty line, surviving on less than $2.15 a day. Hunger haunts 7.5 million people, and South Sudan ranks last globally for corruption, scoring a shocking 8 out of 100 on Transparency International’s index.

 

These are not mere numbers—they represent shattered families, empty classrooms, and villages without laughter. Every statistic is a heartbeat silenced by greed and division.

 

The tragedy is not only in leadership—it is in society itself. Too many citizens sharpen the dull blades of tribal politics instead of breaking them. Every time we choose tribe over nation, we dig the grave of South Sudan’s future.

 

South Sudan needs more than hope—it needs action. Reject tribal politics. Demand leaders who serve the nation, not tribes. Build national identity through education and shared history. Empower youth and civil society to drown out the drums of war. Fight corruption with accountability and courage.

 

South Sudan’s independence was paid for in blood. Do not let it be lost to tribalism.