Though South Sudan hasn’t existed for more than ten years, it has seen enough bloodshed to last for hundreds. Civil war erupted not but 2 years into the country's existence in 2013, accounting for 400,000 lives(Specia). Fought between the reigning government at that time, made up of the Dinka ethnicity, and rebels of Neur heritage, it was said to have started due to knowledge that the Neur rebels were going to start a coup(Cohen). With an official agreement signed in 2018 between the two parties(Specia), so called peace was said to have been established. Though the fighting has ceased, death is still apparent, with 7.1 million people facing “extreme and deadly hunger”(Oxfam International).
With over 30% of the country’s able bodied citizens seeking asylum in neighboring countries(Oxfam), a large chunk of arguably the most valuable group of people, based on their contribution to the economy through labor intensive practices, is gone. This leaves the chances for the famine’s improvement in a very bad spot.
A young nation having to experience such great turmoil creates a hellish environment for its citizens in terms of their financial stability and reliance upon their land. Before the conflict, the country’s greatest export was oil, but fighting concluded all operations, taking a substantial chunk of national income, depreciating the South Sudanese Pound(Reuters). As a result, people don’t have the means to purchase their own food. Famine ensues not as a result of droughts or mudslides, but human destruction. In 2016, inflation was 161 percent(Reuters). How could inflation reduce with increasing famine? As for farmers, their land is useless, ruined as a result of the war. Sabotages such as burning crops gives them no opportunity to support themselves or contribute to the market(Mednick).
As far as the country's chances of self improvement without foreign aid, corruption and greed have managed to thwart any chances of equal distribution of wealth(Specia). The closest nod to assistance by the government has been creating new 5oo pound bills, as opposed to the previous max of 100(Reuters). Even if an influx of money is introduced into the South Sudanese markets, no prosperity can be had if there is nothing of value to sell, both internationally and intranationally.
Should restrictions be lifted by the South Sudanese government concerning aid, vital organizations like Oxfam International can continue to provide emergency food, cash vouchers for essential items(Oxfam), and the tools needed so that farmers and other integral members of society can slowly rebuild their nation as it was before the pandemonium. Though a mere nod to normalcy, organizations like these create the structure for more audacious endeavors such as true peace.
I like how you introduced your topic with statistics to signify magnitude. I wonder if an image at the start would help convey more of a story.
ReplyDeleteI like how you were able to smoothly incorporate your evidence throughout your writing, it seems like this civil war was something not many people knew about despite the effects it had. Is the government doing anything else to help its people?
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