12/07/2019
"THE ELDERLY PERSPECTIVE OF URGING YOUTHS TO REFRAIN FROM POLITICS IS LEGAL INJURY."
Dear elders of South Sudan, It has come to our knowledge that, you are cumulatively urging youths to refrain from politics. This is legal injury to youths and complete infringement of youth's constitutional right of participation contrary to part two, Article 26(1) of the Transitional constitution of the republic of South Sudan, 2011, which intelligibly state that,
Every citizen shall have the right to take part in any level of government directly or through freely chosen representative, and shall have the right to nominate himself or herself or be nominated for a public post or office in accordance with this constitution and the law.
Consequently, Considering the aforementioned constitutional right granted to all citizens of South Sudan enshrined in Transitional constitution of the republic of South Sudan, 2011, Elderly perspective of urging youths to refrain from politics is a violation of fundamental freedoms, violation of human rights, equality and the rule of law.
There is no limit or extent to which youths must exercise their national political objectives. That means everyone whether youth or elder have right to participate, comment and influence national politics as long as it is consistent with Transitional constitution of South Sudan.
It would be equitable to urge youths to participate in national politics in conformity with the supreme law than urging them to permanently refrain from politics. Why? This is because youths also have roles to play in political system of South Sudan. Roles such as advocating for social justice, freedom, good governance, dignity, equality and democracy as well as attaining millennium development goals.
When H.E Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the incumbent president of the republic of South Sudan joined the army combating against Sudan oppressive and repressive regime, He was a little child but angered with the political system of Sudan which was comprise of oppression, repression, marginalization, human rights violation and inequality and his mission to free Southern Sudanese from the then autocracy of Sudan regime succeeded in collaboration with other angrily Southern Militants.
Dr. John Garang de Mabior, the founding father of the republic of South Sudan also did the the same and their involvement in then Sudan political system did not bought us a regret but freedom and independence as well.
Likewise to other great political leaders around the world. Their political background commenced at youth age hence making them effective and efficient in handling political affairs in the future.
Last but not lease, In the early 1980s, the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) recruited and begun training boys as young as 12 of age(The Red Army/ The child soldiers) to fight in its battle for independence from Sudan.
In this context, our question is that, if the red army, the little young boys were able to fight and successfully brought independence of South Sudan, how come that today youths should refrain from political leadership? Don't you think their participation can also bring positive impacts such as nation building, democratic system and unity as well regardless of ethnicity just like Red Army did it at their then capacity to liberate South Sudan.?
Where do you come from with your cumulative perspective of urging youths to refrain from politics? Even you who is now in politics started at youth age, so why permanently depriving others of their political rights?
Rather urged youths to participate in politics in a manner that is in conformity with the supreme law of the land and a manner not repugnant to public policy or causing destabilization to our societies than negatively influencing them of exercising their political rights which even in turn could infect their political careers. This traditional African lineage political system of nature MUST stop.
Youths have right to participate as enshrined in the Transitional constitution of the republic of South Sudan, 2011and has to influence the political system in their country as long as it is not inconsistent with the law.
The rationale behind this maxim is that youths can greatly contribute in nation building both socially, culturally, economically and politically.
Youth's power is certain and unshakable.
Youth's voice heard, the development.
"Youths power, Our power."
"Yes youths can."
Dhel Diing Nhial Dhel, LLB, BPS.
Kampala International University, KIU.
Best regards youths of South Sudan.
Standing in solidarity with you.