02/04/2025
Hijacked Minds: How Tribal Politicians Have Hacked the Future of South Sudan’s Youth.
By: Eng. Jox Denk Jr.
I write this with a heavy heart, watching the minds of many young South Sudanese being manipulated beyond recognition. The way young people express their views on politics makes me feel like we’re witnessing a mass deception. Their future hasn’t just been stolen—it has been hacked, controlled, and locked away by tribal politicians who thrive on division.
The Great Hack: How Our Minds Were Compromised
We were supposed to be the generation of change, the ones to rebuild this nation into something strong and prosperous. But instead, what do we see? Young people fiercely defending the very leaders who have crippled the country. Instead of demanding accountability, they are trapped in a cycle of blind loyalty, cheering for politicians who have offered them nothing but empty promises.
How did we get here? The answer is simple: the minds of our youth have been hacked. This wasn’t an overnight attack—it was a well-planned infiltration of our thoughts, emotions, and aspirations. Tribal politicians have carefully inserted themselves into our culture, making us believe that standing with them means standing with our people.
The Methods of the Hackers
Like expert cybercriminals, these politicians have used multiple strategies to compromise our thinking:
1. Emotional Exploits – They play on historical grievances, fueling hate and mistrust between tribes. They make us believe that other ethnic groups are enemies rather than fellow citizens.
2. Propaganda Virus – Through manipulated speeches, selective storytelling, and social media misinformation, they spread a narrative that makes them seem like saviors while blaming others for the country’s failures.
3. Divide-and-Conquer Algorithms – By keeping us divided, they prevent us from uniting against the real problem—corruption and bad governance.
4. Promise-Based Scams – Every time, they promise jobs, development, and security, yet these promises never materialize. Still, young people continue to support them, believing the next update will be better.
The Effects of This Mental Hack
This brainwashing has left the youth paralyzed. Instead of discussing development, we waste our energy arguing over politicians who have never improved our lives. We have become soldiers in a war that only benefits those in power. Meanwhile, our economy is collapsing, our education system is failing, and opportunities are shrinking.
But let me ask you this: What have these politicians actually done for you? Do you have access to good education? Do you have job opportunities? Do you feel safe in your own country? Or are you just surviving, hoping that one day, things might magically change?
How to Reclaim Our Minds
Like any hacked system, our minds can be restored—but it requires action. We must:
1. Run a Self-Diagnostic – Question everything. Are your political beliefs your own, or were they installed in you by someone else?
2. Remove the Malware – Unfollow tribalistic narratives, stop engaging in divisive politics, and seek truth from multiple sources.
3. Upgrade to Critical Thinking – Learn to separate facts from propaganda. Analyze the track records of leaders instead of just their words.
4. Rebuild a Secure Future – Support leaders who have a vision for development, not just those who exploit tribal identity.
The Final Decision: Reboot or Stay Hacked?
A hacked generation cannot build a strong nation. A generation trapped in tribal divisions cannot progress. And yet, this is where we are—young people turning against each other instead of coming together to fight for a better future.
But there is still hope. The future of South Sudan does not belong to the old politicians who have failed us—it belongs to us, the youth. We must reclaim our minds, reject division, and stop seeing each other as enemies. Our common enemy is not another tribe—it is poverty, corruption, and bad leadership.
If we don’t change now, we will find ourselves in the same cycle of suffering for generations to come.
What kind of country do you want? One built on unity, opportunity, and hope? Or one that remains broken, divided, and exploited by the same leaders who have failed us time and time again?
The choice is ours. Let’s break free from this mental hack and fight for a future worth believing in!
By: Eng. Jox Denk Jr.
Patriotical South Sudanese
