The role of South Sudanese diaspora in nation-building

By Chol Ajak Demach

First and foremost, I would like to thank Mr. Deng Atem for asking me to write an article about our South Sudanese community in the Diaspora. I have pondered extensively on what area to address that would contribute positively to our society. Finally, I thought the best area to focus on would be to highlight the role of the Diaspora in nation-building. I don’t claim to be an expert on the subject, but it is my humble attempt to draw from my own experience as someone who was once part of the Diaspora community and now works and lives in South Sudan. I can see how my experiences, and other communities’ experiences can help guide our community to play a significant role in a nation-building.

Without doubt, the South Sudanese Diaspora community in the United States (U.S.) played a pivotal role in contributing to the independence of South Sudan through lobbying the U.S. government and highlighting the suffering of the people of our country. The crucial actions of the Diaspora led to the passing of the Sudan Peace Act, which was signed into law by the former President George W. Bush on October 21, 2002. The Sudan Peace Act paved the way to the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in Kenya in 2005. This subsequently led to the independence of South Sudan from Sudan on July 9, 2011.

We also recognize the Diaspora as an important agent in the development of the country. This is noted by their continuous economic and social contributions through financial donations to family members and the people in need; or volunteering their time to community-based organizations. Hence, the nation’s economy is directly boosted, but this is not enough. The Diaspora still has a greater role and contribution to offer to the young nation. Unfortunately, the Diaspora seems to think their role ended with the attainment of the independence of South Sudan as the country started to take back the role of nation-building. I would like to highlight strategic ways the Diaspora can continue to foster strong ties and relationships between their host countries and South Sudan.

I will address my points with the hope of achieving an impact. I would like to divide the Diaspora community into two main groups; first and second generation of South Sudanese Diaspora in the U.S. The first group is the first generation of South Sudanese Diaspora, they are families and young adults who migrated to the U.S. and place significant emphasis on maintaining strong ties with their homeland. They also follow events unfolding in South Sudan and dream of one-day returning home. The first generation of South Sudanese Diaspora send money to relatives at home to build them houses, but they are trapped by the 40 by 40 rules; working in the host country for 40 hours a week for 40 years. In the end, this group dies poor having not achieved the American dream of receiving advanced degrees, acquiring wealth or progressing in their respective professional fields. And all while having not made relevant contributions in South Sudan. This leads to the question, what are they planning for their homecoming in a few years?

We acknowledge there exists a plethora of associations and non-profit organizations within various South Sudanese communities. Such institutions host conventions, fundraisings and other events that raise large funds which are either utilized in the U.S. or sent to South Sudan. Here are my thoughts on how we might better utilize the money. As we all know, we have a young nation that lacks many basic services to meet the needs of its population. It would behoove our Diaspora communities to think of starting small businesses with the money raised each year. The money can be invested in projects like agriculture and fishery, education, health, and microeconomics activities. Furthermore, the community associations can be registered as companies in South Sudan with its members acting as shareholders. Then have experts in the fields run the companies. By implementing these strategies, significant benefits will be achieved from establishing openings in the job market, boosting the local economy and helping change the future of our nation. We cannot just wait or depend on the government to provide resources. It is noted that in many sovereign countries across the globe, the government impedes rather than advances the needs of its people and country. Solely depending on the government is futile to the progress of South Sudan. Thus, let us not wait for services and quality of life to improve in our country before we do our part.

By supporting the mentioned projects, we will financially secure our future and that of our children. In turn, the first generation of the Diaspora can start to come home to utilize the skills and experiences gained in the U.S. while helping our people. Let me clearly point out, I am not referencing the Diaspora to focus on government jobs but rather in the private sector by operating businesses. Many, like me, made the crucial decision and journeyed home. We are now using our skills and experiences acquired in U.S. in sectors such as media, health, NGOs, business and aviation, among others. As a result, I can say without a doubt that our contributions as returnees from the Diaspora has improved our country from how we initially found it. I would like to encourage the government of South Sudan to engage the Diaspora and find ways to utilize the human resource and financial contribution of the Diaspora. In turn, establish a Diaspora Department that can help channel all efforts, and make the Diaspora’s contribution in nation-building more effective.

In discussing the second group which is the second generation of South Sudanese Diaspora in the U.S., this essential group was either born and/or obtained their education in the U.S. from a young age. They know next to nothing about South Sudan other than stories they hear from their parents or community members. We will be doing them a great service if we begin to teach them South Sudan’s native languages and history, and plan for them to visit home once in a while. This will impact their lives and in turn, they will be of greater service to our nation in the future. This is based on evidence from the State of Israel, as noted by the prosperity and power the country has gained from the contributions of Jewish Americans and their presence in all levels of American government and businesses, coupled with their close connection to Israel. So let us help and encourage our children to achieve their American dreams while having a comprehensive understanding of their rich heritage and where they came from because this will help shape them for the future.

The former U.S. President Barack Obama exemplifies the important role of establishing ties with Africa as noted by his visit to his father’s home in Kenya. It helped him develop pride in his heritage and connect to his family’s history. I recommend that you read President Obama’s book titled, “Dreams from My Father.” In addition, developing our country like Ghana which has opened doors and provided a home to African Americans who want to return to Africa since they may not know which part of Africa their ancestors were taken from. We can avoid the dilemma faced by African Americans and have our children embrace our history. To enable this, it would be a good idea for the Diaspora to create a database online for South Sudanese which will contain relevant information from family trees, day of arrival in the U.S. and where they are now. By doing so, we will be helping the second generation of South Sudanese Diaspora in the U.S. establish and maintain connection to the motherland.

Finally, as a proud South Sudanese who returned home to offer my professional knowledge and skills, I must say that some of the great benefits of home that I enjoy with other colleagues from the Diaspora include interacting with family and friends, eating organic fruits and vegetables, drinking fresh milk, and enjoying honey. Undoubtedly, South Sudan is the land of milk and honey as stated in the Bible. To prosper collectively, let us all put our hands together in the Diaspora and South Sudan for the betterment of our nation.

The author is Chol Ajak Demach and can be reached via email at chol.ajak@gmail.com