“the dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. As our case is new, so we must think new and act new.“ Abe Lincoln 1862
By Makuel Wie
The current event unfolding in South Sudan can be attributed to a failure of SPLM as a political party. SPLM has been running our national affair every since the inception of South Sudan from arm struggle through referendums, and then at last to a fanfare independence celebration. As a nascent State in the larger world community our country has been myriad with so many competing issue from armed rebellion, corruption, and lack of service deliver to most needy people of our country. Lets bear in mind that all sector of our society in southern Sudan bore the brutally of war in many way.. Our civilians are the one that have paid so dearly during the armed struggle both financial and in blood. if it wasn’t them SPLM/SPLA would lack the manpower to wage war against Khartoum regime. Ordinary folk were subject to forcefully evacuation, summarily execution, and even lost of personal belonging. Our women were subject to rape, abuse, and brutally in inhumane way. Nearly all aspect of our societal fabric were utterly destroy rending us almost incapacitate. Nevertheless the arm struggle has proved beyond any doubt the resilience of our people in every aspect as well..
In a post conflict environment, political parties are expect to play a pivotal role in creating a lasting peace, stability and ensure a democratic process. South Sudan is no exception. The 2010 general election has reaffirm to all outside observer that the SPLM had not draw lesson from other nation that had gone through the same process we are currently undertaking nor has it part away from past association with Marxist-Leninist ideology. SPLM has chosen monopolized power by using their incumbent position us the only viable political party that has brought about the total liberation of South Sudan to legitimize their authorities by undermining the will of the people to democratically exercise their new found freedom. The state governor were being hand pick by president himself because no sound mind could state that their election was fair and balance. if one fall out of favor with the president he is therefore suck. The same goes with the state governor hand picking counties commissioner with out the consent of the govern. This process is unacceptable. this is not what our armed struggle was about because instead of fighting to eradicate totalitarianism, inequality, and corruption we have breed another one. To set the record straight the liberation of the south was not brought by military victory but rather through international supervise referendum were by the people of southern Sudan had the opportunity to be the master of their own destiny. So no single political party should oblige themselves as the liberator but instead see themselves us the custodian of the people right.
During our bitter armed struggle two institution play a significant role at our lowest point. the civil society and SPLA although this is subject to debate. The were the tip of the spear during our liberation so any change with in the country both of this institution has to play a key role while at the same time adhering the rule of law and their mandate.
Coming to the SPLA. Its severely in dire need of transformation like the saying goes too many chief and not enough Indian. first the name SPLA has to change because we are not in united Sudan any more. The total liberation of the south has been achieve so our ultimate objective has been accomplished. Its ideological doctrine has to change the can no longer roamer and behave thuggishly. Now SPLA must conduct themselves in such way in order to safe guard their image and reputation as bipartisan national army rather then the leftwing army of SPLM political party. The SPLA leadership at all level need to understand modern army leadership is about taking care of the soldier entrust in to their care therefore mentoring them to better themselves and be tomorrow leader for our nation. Secondly the rank and file with in the armed force need to be restructure too many officer this is creation dead weight with in the rank and filed. Utilized the armed to do nation building by under taking construction, road, and agriculture. The government is paying them so put them to good use it’s a hung labor pool waiting to be harness. For instance we can notice from small nation of Eritrea which got its independence in 1993 from Ethiopia ever since then the has done tremendous job utilizing their armed force on nation building project constructing roads, hospital, electrical grid, and agricultural as well. Our armed force should not only be utilized or mobilized for war alone. Our Armed force are special asset to country in countless of way.
The reconciliation lunch by the government is an outstanding gesture. We truly needed to reconcile within our selves in order to bring about a more cohesion in to well diverse country like our. However this endeavor needed to be spearheaded by churches group and other civil society organ so whereby it appear bipartisan in the eye of the public. Nevertheless plane need to follow suite to created employment for the masses; because reconciliation with out reconstruction and development will be short live. If history has taught us well in aftermath of any livelihoods disruption reconstruction has to follow immediately. For instanced in Europe after the defeat of Nazi Germany the Marshall plane soon follow to put people back to work rebuilding back their livelihood. In the same token in United State during the civil war soon after the defeat of Southern Secessionist the reconstruction of the South was initiated immediately by President Lincoln without any further delayed…or the Tennessee Valley Authority project initiated by FDR during great depression a tremendous project at grandiose scale which put great number of people back to work. South Sudan has the capacity to do the same it only require political will and planning.
If SPLM was founded because of strategic or ideological significances during the armed struggle then now is the high time for SPLM to transform. we have liberated South Sudan from Khartoum regime the name itself has to be history or unless it has hidden agenda. The people of the south Sudan have learn a lot of lesson, they are not blind follower anymore so no any wishful politician can no longer manipulated them or denied them their right. however ordinary folk had been made aware by the behavior of some die hard element within the SPLM fighting to maintain the status quo. Therefore impeding democratic change due to the fear of uncertainty or whatever the case maybe. So any one trying to manifest change is therefore deemed as the enemy of the party or therefore as those that has defected from the movement in the past leaving them disenfranchise. Lets be clear no one is trying to do away with SPLM/SPLA or denying its historical achievement. No sound mind can disputed SPLM/ SPLA historical significant in attaining our independence; trying to erase SPLM/SPLA historical achievement would be an utter insult to our martyr who have sacrifice so much so that we can have a nation. However the current SPLM leadership has to come to term within itself by realizing that the people of South Sudan are not the same like it once was during the armed struggle. they are highly mobile, educated, and to certain degree very informative about the issue pertaining to the nation. So inquiring public opinion on any national issue do matter greatly. It created a sense of ownership which could manifest in to sense of nationalism. However Political party are found and disbanded all the time because as time pass by some had live their usefulness. So SPLM/SPLA is a relic of the past the only viable state it is in would be to ensure that its historical contribution should be taught to the younger generation. One great example is the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique(FRELIMO) which brought about the total liberation for that country from Portugal colonial rule. it leader Samore Machel die on plan crash like Dr Garang. However during their armed struggle FRELIMO was a Marxist-Leninist like SPLM/SPLA. In 1970 during their armed struggle as a banded rebel the were just shout Aluta Continua(struggle continue) also like us in the South SPLM/SPLA Oyee at the time even up to date. Dr Garang once say to SPLA Cadet officers “we can not only just shout revolution while the beard necessity to sustain live are not provided to our people, if we don’t provide the people will drive us to sea” As time progress FRELIMO has transform it self from a Marxist-Leninist rebel movement state it was once in to a viable open political party for progress subject to the rule of law and respect for human right. I believe SPLM can immaculate on their footstep.
We can no longer blame lack of clear policy agenda, workable strategy, and visionary leadership on lame duck excuse of oh we are starting from scratch; while national resource are mismanage. Other country had adjourn on the same path we are currently undertaking. South Sudan can draw lesson from them to try an chart a better realistic and sustainable path toward transparency, democracy, human right and progress or else the wind of change will pass us by….
Author can be reach at amwie-21@hotmail.com…
By Makuel Wie
The current event unfolding in South Sudan can be attributed to a failure of SPLM as a political party. SPLM has been running our national affair every since the inception of South Sudan from arm struggle through referendums, and then at last to a fanfare independence celebration. As a nascent State in the larger world community our country has been myriad with so many competing issue from armed rebellion, corruption, and lack of service deliver to most needy people of our country. Lets bear in mind that all sector of our society in southern Sudan bore the brutally of war in many way.. Our civilians are the one that have paid so dearly during the armed struggle both financial and in blood. if it wasn’t them SPLM/SPLA would lack the manpower to wage war against Khartoum regime. Ordinary folk were subject to forcefully evacuation, summarily execution, and even lost of personal belonging. Our women were subject to rape, abuse, and brutally in inhumane way. Nearly all aspect of our societal fabric were utterly destroy rending us almost incapacitate. Nevertheless the arm struggle has proved beyond any doubt the resilience of our people in every aspect as well..
In a post conflict environment, political parties are expect to play a pivotal role in creating a lasting peace, stability and ensure a democratic process. South Sudan is no exception. The 2010 general election has reaffirm to all outside observer that the SPLM had not draw lesson from other nation that had gone through the same process we are currently undertaking nor has it part away from past association with Marxist-Leninist ideology. SPLM has chosen monopolized power by using their incumbent position us the only viable political party that has brought about the total liberation of South Sudan to legitimize their authorities by undermining the will of the people to democratically exercise their new found freedom. The state governor were being hand pick by president himself because no sound mind could state that their election was fair and balance. if one fall out of favor with the president he is therefore suck. The same goes with the state governor hand picking counties commissioner with out the consent of the govern. This process is unacceptable. this is not what our armed struggle was about because instead of fighting to eradicate totalitarianism, inequality, and corruption we have breed another one. To set the record straight the liberation of the south was not brought by military victory but rather through international supervise referendum were by the people of southern Sudan had the opportunity to be the master of their own destiny. So no single political party should oblige themselves as the liberator but instead see themselves us the custodian of the people right.
During our bitter armed struggle two institution play a significant role at our lowest point. the civil society and SPLA although this is subject to debate. The were the tip of the spear during our liberation so any change with in the country both of this institution has to play a key role while at the same time adhering the rule of law and their mandate.
Coming to the SPLA. Its severely in dire need of transformation like the saying goes too many chief and not enough Indian. first the name SPLA has to change because we are not in united Sudan any more. The total liberation of the south has been achieve so our ultimate objective has been accomplished. Its ideological doctrine has to change the can no longer roamer and behave thuggishly. Now SPLA must conduct themselves in such way in order to safe guard their image and reputation as bipartisan national army rather then the leftwing army of SPLM political party. The SPLA leadership at all level need to understand modern army leadership is about taking care of the soldier entrust in to their care therefore mentoring them to better themselves and be tomorrow leader for our nation. Secondly the rank and file with in the armed force need to be restructure too many officer this is creation dead weight with in the rank and filed. Utilized the armed to do nation building by under taking construction, road, and agriculture. The government is paying them so put them to good use it’s a hung labor pool waiting to be harness. For instance we can notice from small nation of Eritrea which got its independence in 1993 from Ethiopia ever since then the has done tremendous job utilizing their armed force on nation building project constructing roads, hospital, electrical grid, and agricultural as well. Our armed force should not only be utilized or mobilized for war alone. Our Armed force are special asset to country in countless of way.
The reconciliation lunch by the government is an outstanding gesture. We truly needed to reconcile within our selves in order to bring about a more cohesion in to well diverse country like our. However this endeavor needed to be spearheaded by churches group and other civil society organ so whereby it appear bipartisan in the eye of the public. Nevertheless plane need to follow suite to created employment for the masses; because reconciliation with out reconstruction and development will be short live. If history has taught us well in aftermath of any livelihoods disruption reconstruction has to follow immediately. For instanced in Europe after the defeat of Nazi Germany the Marshall plane soon follow to put people back to work rebuilding back their livelihood. In the same token in United State during the civil war soon after the defeat of Southern Secessionist the reconstruction of the South was initiated immediately by President Lincoln without any further delayed…or the Tennessee Valley Authority project initiated by FDR during great depression a tremendous project at grandiose scale which put great number of people back to work. South Sudan has the capacity to do the same it only require political will and planning.
If SPLM was founded because of strategic or ideological significances during the armed struggle then now is the high time for SPLM to transform. we have liberated South Sudan from Khartoum regime the name itself has to be history or unless it has hidden agenda. The people of the south Sudan have learn a lot of lesson, they are not blind follower anymore so no any wishful politician can no longer manipulated them or denied them their right. however ordinary folk had been made aware by the behavior of some die hard element within the SPLM fighting to maintain the status quo. Therefore impeding democratic change due to the fear of uncertainty or whatever the case maybe. So any one trying to manifest change is therefore deemed as the enemy of the party or therefore as those that has defected from the movement in the past leaving them disenfranchise. Lets be clear no one is trying to do away with SPLM/SPLA or denying its historical achievement. No sound mind can disputed SPLM/ SPLA historical significant in attaining our independence; trying to erase SPLM/SPLA historical achievement would be an utter insult to our martyr who have sacrifice so much so that we can have a nation. However the current SPLM leadership has to come to term within itself by realizing that the people of South Sudan are not the same like it once was during the armed struggle. they are highly mobile, educated, and to certain degree very informative about the issue pertaining to the nation. So inquiring public opinion on any national issue do matter greatly. It created a sense of ownership which could manifest in to sense of nationalism. However Political party are found and disbanded all the time because as time pass by some had live their usefulness. So SPLM/SPLA is a relic of the past the only viable state it is in would be to ensure that its historical contribution should be taught to the younger generation. One great example is the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique(FRELIMO) which brought about the total liberation for that country from Portugal colonial rule. it leader Samore Machel die on plan crash like Dr Garang. However during their armed struggle FRELIMO was a Marxist-Leninist like SPLM/SPLA. In 1970 during their armed struggle as a banded rebel the were just shout Aluta Continua(struggle continue) also like us in the South SPLM/SPLA Oyee at the time even up to date. Dr Garang once say to SPLA Cadet officers “we can not only just shout revolution while the beard necessity to sustain live are not provided to our people, if we don’t provide the people will drive us to sea” As time progress FRELIMO has transform it self from a Marxist-Leninist rebel movement state it was once in to a viable open political party for progress subject to the rule of law and respect for human right. I believe SPLM can immaculate on their footstep.
We can no longer blame lack of clear policy agenda, workable strategy, and visionary leadership on lame duck excuse of oh we are starting from scratch; while national resource are mismanage. Other country had adjourn on the same path we are currently undertaking. South Sudan can draw lesson from them to try an chart a better realistic and sustainable path toward transparency, democracy, human right and progress or else the wind of change will pass us by….
Author can be reach at amwie-21@hotmail.com…
