19/11/2025
Opinion: South Sudan Needs Leaders Chosen on Merit, Not Tribal Loyalty
In South Sudan, political support is often driven by tribe, personal loyalty, or historical affiliation rather than performance and policy. Many people passionately defend leaders even when those leaders have not delivered meaningful progress for the country.
Some citizens proudly say that President Salva Kiir is not going anywhere, yet many of those same supporters struggle to make even five dollars a day. After more than fourteen years in power, the country still faces major challenges in infrastructure, healthcare, education, security, and basic service delivery. Leadership should be evaluated by results and development, not by how long someone remains in office or which ethnic group they come from. South Sudan needs leadership that prioritizes competence and national progress over political survival.
We must also recognize that other political leaders have contributed to instability and loss of life. Dr Riek Machar has been associated with conflicts that led to the deaths of thousands of innocent South Sudanese, including the Bor Massacre in 1991 and the events of 2013. No politician should be above criticism simply because they share our tribe, culture, or bloodline.
Supporting leaders based only on tribal identity has cost South Sudan countless lives, opportunities, and years of progress. True loyalty to the nation means holding leaders accountable and choosing those who have a vision for development, unity, and stability.
South Sudan will only move forward when citizens demand leaders who can improve living standards, create functioning institutions, and put the interests of the people above personal or tribal agendas. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to choose leaders based on merit, integrity, and the ability to deliver real change.