Meni Meen of coozos clan has expressed his concern for Artists to serve in Government leadership. take your time and read through this important letter………..
OPEN LETTER TO H.E. PRESIDENT SALVA KIIR MAYARDIT
“On the Inclusion of Artists in Government Leadership”
Your Excellency,
With a sincere and open heart, I once again write to you to raise an important concern: the consistent undermining of the role and value of the arts and the artistic community in our nation—and more specifically, in your government.
Many South Sudanese artists, myself included, have stood by this government over the years. We have campaigned openly, created messages of hope, produced campaign songs, dramas, and mobilized communities—entirely free of charge. To this day, we have not been compensated. Yet while many groups have been recognized and rewarded with government positions, the artistic community remains completely excluded.
Since assuming office, Your Excellency, you have met with church leaders, the army, traditional authorities, and numerous organized groups. But not once has the artistic community been invited for even a brief meeting—not even a simple “thank you,” despite our significant contribution to your public communication and outreach efforts.
I have previously written to you to highlight that today, our artists have grown, evolved, and matured into leaders with strong capacities to serve in various leadership spaces. Across the region, your counterparts understand this and have recognized the leadership potential in their artists by appointing them into key government roles:
UGANDA
Eddy Kenzo – Presidential Advisor
Bobi Wine – Member of Parliament
KENYA
Jalang’o – Member of Parliament
Jaguar – Former MP, now a senior government official
Bahati – Former MP
TANZANIA
Mwana FA – Deputy Minister of Arts & Culture
Professor Jay – Member of Parliament
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO
Kanda Bongo Man – Former Minister (before exile)
Leadership is not reserved for a specific class of people. It is for those with the capacity to connect with citizens, articulate their concerns, and restore trust. Artists possess these qualities. We are creative thinkers, community mobilizers, storytellers, influencers, and nation-builders. Our voices reach the grassroots, and our messages—just like those of religious leaders—often reach the hearts of the people and the ears of the Creator.
Your Excellency, I humbly submit that artists can play a transformative role in rebuilding the broken bridge of trust between the government and the people of South Sudan. We can contribute significantly to promoting peace, accountability, service delivery, and national unity—areas where the country is still struggling.
Across Africa, no government takes the risk of losing the support of its artists. Even during her most recent campaigns, H.E. Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania ensured that artists were at the center of her mobilization efforts because she understands the power they carry.
Your leadership now has a golden opportunity to rebuild artistic support and use the influence of creatives to drive hope, peace, and national cohesion.
Respectfully, I call upon Your Excellency to recognize, engage, and appoint qualified South Sudanese artists into government leadership positions.
#TheIndustry
#CBM2025
@Office of the president -South Sudan
