South Sudan and why it is important to use outside help
July 9, 2011 with more than 98% vote from the future citizens of what will become South Sudan, the world's newest nation was born. I remember this day and was very excited. I knew of issues going on in Sudan and how long the southerns had wanted their own country which would look out for their interest. I remember thinking hopefully this will happen in Darfur.
Well back then I had worked with a few companies and even an Indiana State Senator to help South Sudan and their economy. Why not bring in fresh ideas and new businesses to a place where there was virtually no jobs and no infrastructure?
Well one thing that plays common in many third world nations is, patience. Contacting high level officials offices isn't the problem, it is waiting for a response back. Then when you get a response you have to wait again for additional details. Given that S. Sudan had just formed a few months earlier it seemed reasonable. At that time, they were concerned about Sudan attacking them and less on what my teams ideas was. Well fast forward a year, and still after many calls and emails, very little movement took place. The business partners that would have looked into entering the market of S. Sudan backed out, and the senator seem to slip away as well.
Just recently a big piece of S. Sudanese government officials were removed from office. Now there is a civil war.
The problem is third world countries typically will not be able to do it on their own. Running a nation, no matter how big or small is a complex, and strange dance. Had the S. Sudanese government acted quickly, businesses would have already located there. Not only would the country have good paying jobs, but also a good tax base. Now the country is relying heavily on oil, which it still has to rely on Sudan due to the lack of infrastructure.
Now I am all for S. Sudan being it's own nation. I think it is great, and much like Gonave, it is a place that struggles. One thing that is rarely thought of is, what if a strong militia comes to try and create a coup? The concern isn't so much what other nations will do, but what can happen internally. Unfortunately people are very greedy, and usually look out for themselves and those around them. Then the citizens of that country are left to struggle even more. While S. Sudan was looking up, with all the construction going on in Juba, that now doesn't matter. International companies which have billions to invest will stay clear of a place with internal strife. You don't see Google, GM, Toyota, etc in Somalia for a reason.
While it appears the grass can be greener on the other side, many times it is same. If a would be nation turns to isolation, then it always ends in failure. If a nation turns to domination, just like Nazi Germany, well it ends in failure. Working with many different people, different countries, altering ideas, and thinking outside the box will work in the modern age. Failure to do this, will prove like the past, an utter failure.
Well back then I had worked with a few companies and even an Indiana State Senator to help South Sudan and their economy. Why not bring in fresh ideas and new businesses to a place where there was virtually no jobs and no infrastructure?
Well one thing that plays common in many third world nations is, patience. Contacting high level officials offices isn't the problem, it is waiting for a response back. Then when you get a response you have to wait again for additional details. Given that S. Sudan had just formed a few months earlier it seemed reasonable. At that time, they were concerned about Sudan attacking them and less on what my teams ideas was. Well fast forward a year, and still after many calls and emails, very little movement took place. The business partners that would have looked into entering the market of S. Sudan backed out, and the senator seem to slip away as well.
Just recently a big piece of S. Sudanese government officials were removed from office. Now there is a civil war.
The problem is third world countries typically will not be able to do it on their own. Running a nation, no matter how big or small is a complex, and strange dance. Had the S. Sudanese government acted quickly, businesses would have already located there. Not only would the country have good paying jobs, but also a good tax base. Now the country is relying heavily on oil, which it still has to rely on Sudan due to the lack of infrastructure.
Now I am all for S. Sudan being it's own nation. I think it is great, and much like Gonave, it is a place that struggles. One thing that is rarely thought of is, what if a strong militia comes to try and create a coup? The concern isn't so much what other nations will do, but what can happen internally. Unfortunately people are very greedy, and usually look out for themselves and those around them. Then the citizens of that country are left to struggle even more. While S. Sudan was looking up, with all the construction going on in Juba, that now doesn't matter. International companies which have billions to invest will stay clear of a place with internal strife. You don't see Google, GM, Toyota, etc in Somalia for a reason.
While it appears the grass can be greener on the other side, many times it is same. If a would be nation turns to isolation, then it always ends in failure. If a nation turns to domination, just like Nazi Germany, well it ends in failure. Working with many different people, different countries, altering ideas, and thinking outside the box will work in the modern age. Failure to do this, will prove like the past, an utter failure.
Comments
Post a Comment
Any racist remarks or otherwise insensitive remarks will be removed and the person placing the comment will be banned from the page.