Author|Malek Cook-Dwach, (PhD Candidate), MP, TNLA
Economic Institutions are the bedrock in amending the broken social fabric and one uncomfortable truth continues to surge, the concentration of power within key economic institutions in the hands of a single ethnic group—especially the Dinka.
This poses a serious threat to national unity and economic progress. Institutions such as the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of South Sudan, the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA), Nilepet, and the Ministry of Petroleum are repeatedly cited as examples where one ethnic group continuously reappointed while excluding the other Sudanese brilliant minds in other ethnic groups from the national cake.
This conversation is to point out the naked truth when leaving unaddressed can wider the mistrust in the eye of the public domains and fuel the divisions and undermine the very idea of a united South Sudan.
No country built on diversity can thrive when crucial institutions appear to serve only a fraction of its population.
A Nation Cannot Stand When Others Feel Excluded:
South Sudan is home to more than 64 ethnic groups, each contributing to its cultural richness and political identity.
But when economic institutions, the very engines that determine how public money is raised, managed, and shared are dominated by one tribe, other communities inevitably feel sidelined is very serious signal of division. The perception that national wealth is controlled by a single group creates resentment, fuels mistrust, and deepens long-standing ethnic fissures.
In a nation still recovering from civil war and cycles of intercommunal violence, such feelings of exclusion are dangerous. They threaten unity and weaken efforts toward nation-building.
Institutional Legitimacy Is Eroded:
The Ministry of Finance and the Central Bank are supposed to inspire confidence among citizens and investors alike. But confidence cannot grow when appointments appear driven more by ethnic loyalty than merit.
When South Sudanese from other communities believe they cannot access leadership roles in institutions that belong to everyone, public trust declines.
Without legitimacy, institutions cannot perform effectively. People become less willing to pay taxes, comply with economic reforms, or believe in government-led development initiatives.
A Breeding Ground for Patronage and Corruption:
Ethnic imbalance in powerful economic institutions often leads to the creation of patronage networks. Hiring, promotions, contracts, and access to resources risk being determined by personal connections rather than qualifications or transparency.
In sectors like petroleum—where billions of dollars are at stake—this creates an environment ripe for corruption.
South Sudan cannot afford such inefficiencies. Every mismanaged dollar is a missed opportunity for roads, schools, hospitals, and peace-building initiatives.
The Cost of Exclusion: Lost Talent and Uneven Development:
When individuals from non-dominant tribes feel that opportunities in the Ministry of Finance, Nilepet, or the Revenue Authority are limited, they may withdraw from public service altogether. This deprives the nation of capable professionals who could strengthen institutions and drive reform.
The consequences are far-reaching: regions associated with underrepresented communities receive fewer investments, widening the development gap and fueling further grievances.
A Path Toward a More Inclusive Future:
South Sudan cannot achieve lasting peace without addressing the ethnic imbalances that undermine public institutions.
This requires political will, reform of recruitment processes, and transparent systems of appointment based on merit rather than ethnic affiliation.
Inclusivity is not just a moral imperative—it is a strategic one. Diverse leadership improves decision-making, reduces corruption, and helps ensure that national resources are managed fairly and responsibly.
The idea of a shared national cake must be more than a slogan. It must be a guiding principle that shapes how institutions operate and whom they serve.
The Stakes Are Too High to Ignore:
If South Sudan is to move forward, it must confront the dangers of concentrating economic power in the hands of one group. Unity cannot be built on exclusion, and stability cannot grow where opportunity is unevenly distributed.
A truly national economy is one in which every community sees itself reflected in institutions of power. Only then can South Sudan unlock its full potential and chart a path toward prosperity and lasting peace.
The views expressed here are my own opinion and doesn’t represent the Institutions I am serving from. The Author can be reached through:malekcook75@gmail.com
