BEING A NUER IS NOT A CRIME, BUT BEING HOSTILE IS A CRIME
By Abraham Madit Majak
South Sudan is a nation built from many tribes, cultures, and identities. Diversity is not a weakness; it is part of the foundation of our country. Among the many communities that fought, sacrificed, and contributed to the struggle for freedom are the Nuer people. Therefore, being Nuer is not a crime. Being Dinka is not a crime. Being Shilluk, Bari, Azande, Murle, Anyuak, or belonging to any other ethnic group is not a crime. Identity itself has never been the problem.
The problem begins when identity becomes a weapon and hostility becomes a way of life.
In recent years, South Sudan has experienced painful moments where political disagreements have been transformed into ethnic divisions. Political leaders fight for power, and ordinary citizens often become victims of narratives that encourage suspicion and hatred among communities. As a result, some individuals are judged not by their actions, but by the tribe they come from.
This is dangerous and unfair.
No person should be blamed for being born into a particular ethnic group. No child chooses where they are born. No citizen chooses the bloodline or language they inherit. Holding an entire community responsible for the actions of individuals creates collective punishment, and collective punishment destroys national unity.
The Nuer community, like every community in South Sudan, consists of teachers, doctors, students, farmers, business people, peace advocates, religious leaders, and ordinary citizens who desire peace and stability. To label an entire ethnic group negatively because of political conflicts or the behavior of certain individuals is both unjust and destructive.
At the same time, rejecting tribal discrimination does not mean accepting hostility.
Hostility becomes a crime against peace when people promote hatred, violence, tribal insults, revenge, and division. Hostility creates fear where trust should exist. It turns neighbors into enemies and weakens the social fabric of a young nation that desperately needs unity.
South Sudan cannot move forward if people continue to attack one another based on identity while excusing harmful behavior simply because it comes from their own side. Wrong actions remain wrong regardless of who commits them. Violence does not become acceptable because it is carried out by members of one’s own tribe. Hate speech does not become justified because it serves political interests.
Citizens should learn to separate ethnicity from conduct. We should judge people by their actions, values, and contribution to society rather than by their tribal background.
A peaceful South Sudan requires a new culture where people defend justice instead of tribal loyalty, where citizens condemn hostility regardless of who commits it, and where national identity stands above ethnic competition.
The message is simple: being Nuer is not a crime. Being from any tribe is not a crime. But choosing hostility, spreading hatred, and encouraging division harms society and damages the future of our nation.
South Sudan does not need more tribal walls. It needs bridges. It does not need more enemies; it needs citizens willing to build a common future.
Only then can we truly call ourselves one people and one nation.
Opinions expressed in articles published by RSSVP are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of Rescue South Sudan Village People. RSSVP assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, validity, or reliability of claims made by contributors.