Politics must never become a place where morality is punished, cunning is rewarded, and ruthless individuals are elevated while honest and patriotic citizens are excluded from decision-making.
South Sudan stands at a critical crossroads. We must begin rebuilding the broken walls created by greed, deceit, corruption, impunity and institutional weakness. Our nation cannot progress when public offices are treated as personal property while ordinary citizens bear the cost of poor governance.
We need to build trust-based leadership founded on integrity, accountability, transparency, justice and service to the people.
There must be an independent, professional and non-partisan judiciary capable of investigating and prosecuting leaders and public officials who abuse their offices, misuse public resources or live at the expense of ordinary citizens.
Accountability must not be selective or driven by political affiliation. The law must apply equally to everyone.
South Sudan also needs a professional, independent and non-partisan national army loyal to the Constitution and the nation rather than to individuals, political parties or ethnic interests. A national security institution must protect the people and the territorial integrity of South Sudan while remaining accountable to legitimate civilian authority.
Above all, service delivery must become a fundamental demand of ordinary citizens. People deserve functioning schools, hospitals, roads, clean water, employment opportunities, security and institutions that respond to their needs.
The politics of personal enrichment must give way to the politics of public service.
Let us rebuild South Sudan on the principles of trust, justice, accountability, constitutionalism and equality before the law.
The honest citizen must no longer be a spectator in the affairs of the nation. The people must be at the centre of decision-making because government exists to serve the people not for the people to serve those in government.
Let us mend the broken walls. Let us restore trust. Let us build institutions that outlive individuals. Let us build a South Sudan where leadership is a responsibility, not a privilege for personal gain.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author, Hon. Mogga Charles Guya, Secretary for Foreign Affairs, SSNMC, Juba, South Sudan, and do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Standard Zone News.
