Academics and Journalists can change and shape the trajectory of South Sudan – if the government listens to their voices. Academic research and impartial journalists’ advice can change the country. That means that academics and journalists have enormous power. In South Sudan, academics and journalists have been silenced.

An overwhelming majority of academics and journalists are not shaping today’s public debates. Well-known think tanks such as The Sudd Institute, Ebony Center and Kush Institute and many more have their work stored digitally in form of academic journals that are read almost exclusively by South Sudanese Diasporas. This clearly illustrates that the majority of policy-makers and government officials do not read these valuable policy reviews and research articles.

Ostensibly, before civil conflict erupted in 2013, some think tanks published dozens of peer-reviewed articles on the deteriorating political and economic situation in the country. I called for something to be done to avert the worsening situation. However, warnings were ignored even within parliamentary officials – some politicians in the opposition parties in South Sudan had not read the articles.

Great thoughts and world changing ideas are not benefitting the nation. Why, then, are academics, and journalist not doing more to share their ideas with the broader public on TV, radio and at the University faculties?

The answer appears to be in three layers: the sheer fear of what academics and journalists should or shouldn’t do as instructed by the State security apparatus; lack of financial backup from universities or government due to currency scarcity; and a lack of training in the art explaining complex concepts to a lay audience.

The academics and journalists should not operate in isolation from South Sudan’s current problems such as hunger, starvation, conflict, food insecurity, illiteracy and poor heath care.

Academics and journalists must step beyond their editorial offices and lecture halls to help South Sudan politically and socially. There are numerous international and local organizations that offer incentives to their academics to write in the popular media, appear on TV or radio, or share their research findings and opinions with the public via these platforms. I believe South Sudan needs contributions from academics and journalists, particularly, policy articles that go beyond academics and journalistic space.

Academics and journalists need to start their constructive role in society instead of remaining observers who write about South Sudan affairs from Jabel Konjur and publish their news findings in electronic journals hidden away from the public and politicians behind expensive digital paywalls.It could make a real difference in people’ lives in South Sudan and beyond.

By Ring Mayar
naydiet@yahoo.com.au