A revolution is a rapid and fundamental change often violent transformation.
Revolutionaries tend to use force to overhaul the existing structures be they government’s, cultural or otherwise and build new system.
Often, if executed, comes with a lot of devastation and loss for human lives and properties. It results into the erosion of not only the existing institutions and system but reverse gains that have been achieved.
For these reasons, political elites in any society are more careful to resort to revolution as a method of change. They can only do so if all other options are exhausted and didn’t work.
Instead, the political establishment chooses evolution as an instrument of gradual change.
Examples of peoples and countries which opted for revolution to change governments in recent times include South Sudan (2013-2018), Libya 2011 to date) , Sudan and DRC (2000s to date). Each of the people in these countries quickly realized that revolutions are easy to start but extremely difficult to end inspite of the heavy price paid.
When Southern Sudanese resorted to Civil Wars in an attempt to forcefully change successive failed Khartoum regimes it was so because we were left with no other choice. In the end, we got what we wanted (independent Country) but were far from winning the war against any Khartoum regimes. In fact, neither did we win the war against the North nor did the North against the South! It ended through dialogue and peace agreement.
Evolution is a gradual incremental process of change. Evolution involves improving the existing system to become better than its’ current status. It deploys peaceful means and processes to achieve its’ objectives.
Examples of peoples and countries which apply evolutionary methods include Kenya, Uganda, South Africa etc. As you may be noticing, these countries have been progressing economically, scientifically and technologically inspite of political hiccups here and there. The elites therein have decided to put their countries first and the rest latter.
In summary, peoples and countries are guided by their leaders (the elites) to embark on continuous nation building without resorting to armed rebellion (evolution).
The use of brute force could be catastrophic and hard to halt. It oftentimes makes the cost of change too dear and irreversible without guarantee for desired results (revolution). Revolutions can only be justified under the worst-case scenario e.g when there is slavery and persecution of a people posing existential threat to the known species.
Appeal to South Sudanese elites and political class
In the name of the people of South Sudan, current and future generations, find a way to settle all the political differences peacefully and lay down arms. This can be done through genuine dialogue. There should be a national dialogue with a unified agenda placing the interest of the people at the center by all political forces inside and outside.
South Sudanese should desist the temptation to tear each other apart over political or ideological disagreement because a house divided against itself will surely fall.
This way, South Sudan can breathe and change the narrative from being a conflict-ridden country to a peaceful, productive and prosperous country.
