SPLM VS SPLM-DC IN A DEMOCRATIC SHOWDOWN.

By: Daniel Odol Oyay

I have never written in a news paper before in my life, though I keenly follow-up the events in our country and especially events pertaining to south Sudan since the conclusion of CPA in January 2005.

I was a very strict serious supporter of SPLM and did not tolerate any remarks against SPLM/A, because I did belief that SPLM was the most worthy political gathering in Sudan that deserved that overwhelming support, I was wrong. As time went by we began to witness things which were not pleasant to my line of thinking. When the 2nd SPLM convention was closing -in the most unusual and dreadful things began to un fold in Upper Nile State, as the rigging of the elections at the Bumas, Payams and Counties were orchestrated without paying attention to the discontentment of the messes. It became evident that similar situation was practiced in other states, but the people of those states were stronger than in Upper Nile, because the SG had a heavy in those practices in the state. But even that, peoples' will in some states could not be overcome. The clear failure of Ann Ito, Ojatuk, Prof. Peter Adwok and Taban Deng in their respective states should have challenged the SPLM leadership and have a change of mind. When we complained to the state SPLM authorities we were harassed including very senior people in the SPLM/A as Dr. Lam Akol who was a member of political bureau and Lt. General in SPLA. Since then I realize that things might not be the same again.

The events that took place during the 2nd SPLM convention appeared that the SPLM was heading against a rock in a wavy sea. I was convinced beyond doubt that SPLM leadership was plotting to remove Dr. Lam from the party. When Mr. Yien Matthews announced investigation against Dr. Lam and Mr. Gahazi(the straw that broke the Camel's back) , the removal was completed and I was not surprised.

Thus the launching of SPLM-DC came as a no surprised move.

It is about the reactions that accompanied the establishment of the new party SPLM-DC that I want to write here:

I will put this reaction into categories classified by the sectors that reacted to the move.

1.The most significant and immediate reaction came from H.E. Pagan Amum SG of the SPLM party. He said (SPLM-DC was born dead), while political bureau in Juba was split, some uttering statements as; it is the right of Dr.Lam to from a party but their worry was why he named it SPLM plus. Thus they filed a case which could not be won in the court as the evidence were defeated by law of the parties in Sudan.

2.Many people welcomed the formation of SPLM-DC for several reasons, among others, break down of the state of law and order in the south, corruption, land grabbing, loss of the direction by the SPLM, marginalization of many tribes in the south, lack of services including education, health, lack of food production and lack freedom of press as many journalists are repeatedly jailed in Juba etc. in short there was a fail governance and government in the south contrary to the rhetoric trade mark of Pagan Amum.

3.The third reaction came from what I will call people from one ethnic group(Dinka). I just beg to be forgiven for generalizing the ward Dinka here, but it is because there is no other way of describing those people who are members of the tribe. My apology comes due to the fact that these some are my in-laws because my cousin is married to a beautiful Dinka well cultured lady( Nyani-banydit). Not only that, but there are good honest people who are just, democratic, honest and humane and are worried about how things are going on in the south. People like Uncle Bona Malwal who gave a state of art speech in the SSDF convention in Juba and so many others. When I scanned the web sites many of the guys are very bitter about the split in the SPLM(or formation of SPLM-DC). Of course it their right to or not like SPLM-DC. The problem with me is that some of those writers are attacking the personality of Dr. Lam and not discussing issues which led to the situation. I wander if they heard about the saying that " small minds discuss personal issues while big minds discuss national issues". fortunately these others who are using abusive language against Dr. Lam are those described by Mr. William Deng as "the peace time heroes" who escaped the war and had fallen into the comforts of niceties of American, Canadian, Australian cities. I will give some examples of these personal assassinating and attacking articles; e.g

“ The Guilt of SPLM-DC” by. Mabior Philip Mach.

“but where will he get the guts to rebuke it when he himself has been bribed by different parties to betray Southerners for more than four times now in 26 years?” “history shall not forgive those who permit themselves to be used to destroy their own people”, is concrete remark. Dr John Garang and SPLM have forgiven all political sinners to SPLM but history has not"

This gentleman Mabior Phillip Mach who appears as if mandated by the southern people to talk on their behalf, he would not endorse any ideas from non Dinka like Dr.Lam and wants him to tolerate being bullied by Salva Kiir with a quite mouth. He had bore the humiliation by those born to rule. Mr. Mabior, it is time that you have a soul searching remorse for the atrocities suffered by the people in the hands of your like. The south shall no longer be the back yard of those who only look at others without critically looking at them selves and remove the big logs from their eyes

 

Has Dr Lam Akol Gotten the Response he Deserves? By Yong Deng.

“The political reality of this blatant betrayal was skilfully covered up and concealed from the South Sudanese people through the use of unproven pretext that Dr Akol had overnight become the saviour of the South Sudanese people and hence was on a mission to rescue them from an impending danger.

Yes indeed is a rescue mission for the south from your shameless tribal and corrupt practices. Any one in the south has the right to try and save the south that needs no permission from you.

The Wisdom of an Oppressed is Upside-down

By Ojulu O Ogala(an Anuak)

“ Instead of marginalisation, the SPLM should celebrate diversity. In diversity, there is power. Too often we hear that the American Grand Old Party (GOP), better known as the  Republican Party moves far to the right (conservative), moves far to the left (liberal) or moves deep to the center (moderate). There is a value to each and every one of these voices. Conservative voice, for instance, appeals to a segment of the American society on certain issues such as anti - abortion and anti -gay. All these voices are respected in the party because they attract different segments of the society. Remember, a party is in a business of subscribing subscribers to its philosophy and retaining them. It is not in a firing business. Keeping supporters isn’t static, it is dynamic.”

The position of this writer makes sense as the people and the country is usually built by diverse opinions, but not good for nothing leadership that favors some sectors of its communities.

Dr Lam Akol: SPLM, SPLM-Nasir, SPLM-United, SPLM, SPLM-DC; What Next?

By Jacob K Lupai

“Dr Akol, with a doctorate from the University of London and one time a university professor joined the SPLM in its early years and rose to the position of Director of the External Department. This seems to suggest that Dr Akol was a prominent member of the SPLM. According to Johnson (2003), Dr Akol was promoted by Dr John Garang, the founder of the SPLM and Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) over the heads of longer-serving SPLA officers and appointed alternate member of the Politico-Military High Command (PMHC). Dr Akol was a senior commander in Upper Nile. He is credited with the negotiations which led to the creation of the UN Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) that was important in the humanitarian field in saving lives.  All this seems to suggest that Dr Akol had contributed to the liberation effort.”

This writer discusses the issues and not the personality of Dr. Lam. This is also certificate that Dr. Lam although sometimes differed with Dr. Grang, the late leader always respected him, because the difference in opinion over issues never spoils the core, but rather improves the plans. Being a thinker is not a joke. You can differ as many times as possible depending on the issues at stake”

Southern Political Expediency Is No Brainer

By Isaiah Abraham

“We have been engaged for the past few days doing literally damage to ourselves than good especially over the formation of another SPLM party under Dr Lam Akol Ajawin; the very topic that has refused to go away on grounds not necessarily constructive. Some of us went a notch higher to throw every bit of gauntlet to support or condemn the move without taking their time on the substance of his defection. In the process we were left with dent of irrationality that haunts our conscience as we reflect back to our reaction.What am I talking about here really? This is what we want to say: some of us have curiously narrowed the whole case at hand to the personality of Dr Akol at the expense of his message or matters he has raised. In another words, we had spent enough time chiding the ‘package’ leaving the message to slip below our belts. I thought Dr Akol had talked about the need to overhaul the system called the SPLM from its proclaimed tenets and this is in terms of its direction towards peace, democracy, governance and freedom of expression and opinion among others. His timing and the move however might not be popular to many but the man has raised critical issues that might help the SPLM in the long run or make it stand the test of time. I doubt whether shouting and personal assassination tirade could do away with those pertinent issues he has raised and of which we have been monotonously talking about often here. So what is the point? Am tempted to highlight some mists, or mistakes we have been making as we attempt to absorb the second SPLM split under Dr Lam Akol, and the efforts or what have not, to find ways out of that hassle. But, I shall do it briefly with no much comment to add. First, some of us have suggested that Dr Akol’s SPLM breakaway is a touted arm of the NCP and therefore a fronted mole aimed at frustrating the SPLM ‘fight’ for its rights against the NCP. These people purported ‘evidences’ that include the base of the party and sponsorship.Granted, no one knows what had gone under the bridge or say between Dr Akol’s new party and the NCP in the case of support and backing but that isn’t a deal so long as  it is not interfering with the quest for freedom by the people of South Sudan and other marginalised regions. He knows how many times Khartoum have tried to undermine the people of South Sudan through its own sons and that never worked, what will make it work today when we have entrenched in the South more than any other time before.Second is that some people have accused Dr Akol of insincerity and power hungry man. That he was denied a ministerial appointment in the last reshuffle after he had lost his first job in Khartoum. This is partly true and had expected the President then to appoint him anywhere, especially in the ministry of Regional Cooperation that has done nothing to our people under Dr Marial Benjamin. This is serious, the President knows the following this man has besides his talents, but chose to toss him and continue to ignore him for reasons dated to the land of Jikany in 1991. Who never rebelled against the SPLM by the way?  What did he do that others didn’t do that makes him a refuse within the structures of the party and the government?”

This writer is very objective in posing the issue and not abusive to the personality.

 

A Hoax of a New Party-Lam Akol’s Betrayal of the South Sudanese Cause.

By Yong Deng

“Dr Akol, as usual, did not hesitate to fabricate some sham reasons for betraying the South Sudanese cause; the most ridiculous being “to save South Sudanese from eminent danger”. Despite the hypocritical tirade against SPLM in Mr Akol’s Saturday press release, any South Sudanese can easily figure out that the splinter political group does not have anything to do with the struggle for freedom and equality of all marginalised people and South Sudanese in particular; rather, it was formed to fulfil its own sinister objectives which will be outlined later in this paper. Of all the political parties in South Sudan, this treacherous party must be rejected by all Southerners because of the following reasons among others”

This the most vulgar language which will not win people to the desired end, because its motivated by hatred and has nothing to do with helping the south. The reasons for trying to dissuade some one is usually either to drop the idea or win them to your side, and this can only be done with the most persuasive ability and not by shallow mindedness which can clearly worsen things. If you are not of the caliber, the task proves more daunting and fruitless.

 

SPLM–DC: Is it a Democratic Betrayal?
BY: Daniel Wuor Thonker, CAIRO “Surely, dear beloved colleagues in the South, is this a Democratic Change or a Democratic betrayal? How should Satan himself put it about such a historic hero?"
“Again it is you, who has started the division, calling your party a party which wants to fight tribalism, when the SPLM is being led by DINKA, (Kiir)  NUER, (Riak) EQUARTORIA, (Wani) MABAN (Malik Agar) AND SHILLUK (Pagan Amum) including Arab (Yasir Arman). What tribal practice do you see, when it is your own tribal wickedness of a failed leader”.

We shall discuss how tribalism had thrived in GOSS. Because giving these six names make people belief that there is ethnic balance. We will dissect the anatomy of the work force in the levels of the government so that you can see for your self. Further more, it is not the issue of tribal representation that gave birth to SPLM-DC, but it has some things to do with governance.

 

SPLM-DC, the Black Jallaba in South Sudan

By Dhieu Dok Minyang, Calgary AB, Canada

“The iniquitous launch of the SPLM-DC in Khartoum was not only an end to the political life of Dr. Lam but also a betrayal of our struggle. SPLM-DC chairman is such a genius, selfish, ambitious and an opportunistic politician South Sudan ever produced. He played his smart card in 1991 and the results were seen given all the merciless killings in Greater Upper Nile region. Since joining SPLM/A in 1986 just to break away in 1991, he has since formed/joined over five political parties as suggested by foreign affairs minister, Deng Alor. This is an indication that SPLM-DC has been formed and will soon be dismantled for another greener pasture. What else can I say when too much of ambition breaks a man. In fact, Dr. Lam has been broken by his ambitions and will eventually die without any legacy that he can be remembered for except being politically promiscuous.”

Mr. Dhieu poured his hatred on Dr. Lam in such a way that strips him from all his achievements in the struggle as a commanding field officer in the SPLA and as a pioneer of the political wing the SPLM, and above all Dr.Lam you like it or not is the chief architect of the SELF-DETERMINATION. Dr. Lam can never be the rubbish you wrote. You are not the south and as such you can not determine the legacy of people at majestic heights like Dr. Lam simply because your are an ill-brought up refugee feasting on the spoils of the white man.

I have quoted some of these statements for the readers to evaluate the thinking of some writers who are driven it seems by variety of motives ranging from tribal sentiments, envy, personal dislike, to realistic ideas and worries about the future of the south, and had added my own comments. It can always be said that no one is an enemy of the south especially if you participated in field of war in defence of the land in which you could loos your life. Any person who volunteered to participate in the war of liberation should be respected.

It can always be said that you can’t give up your struggle for the sake of some limited minded simpletons like the last writer Mr. Dhieu Dok Minyang acting on impulses of tribal affiliations, condoning corruption which might have extended to him some spoils of the corrupt GOSS enriching some ethnic groups to buy cars , houses and luxurious life style in the Diaspora. It is not a secret that some southern Sudanese are favoured by their brothers misappropriating and squandering the money of the poor people of the south who are hardly getting the daily bread, and tortured by hanger in the greater Bahar el ghazal,Unity states etc., because some forged documents were presented and accepted by the GOSS that dura had been delivered to those destinations, generating million of dollars to the cheaters(merchant and Government officials)when in actual fact not a single sack had been delivered.

All those who are bitter against the formation of the SPLM-DC, are not those necessarily concern about the south, but the issue about maintaining the status quo of the tribal corrupt government in the south. Why is it that a particular ethnic group is affected more than the other silent oppressed majority of the southern people?. Please don’t say that you liberated the south, because it is not yet, and you didn’t fight alone, all the tribes of the south had participated in the liberation struggle. But even if you liberated the south, was it that you did it for yourselves alone? Nelson Mandella spent 27yrs. In prison, he did not favour his tribe when he was freed. He became the symbol of struggle in the whole world. Albert Luthole wrote “let my people go” , he never lived to see a free south Africa. Why is it you want to subdue the people empower your selves with the meagre resources which could have been comfortably shared.

Change must come to the south so that all the southern people live as humans with dignity, not as your second class people. Might be this misdistribution of power should let you have a rethink and have a soul searching attitude. “The wind of change is blowing across south Sudan” like the British prime minister Macmillan told the white apartheid authorities in South Africa in the 1960. That change is SPLM-DC.

You will recall that what triggered “KOKORA” in the eighties was relatively less evil than now, and this should not be repeated, which can only be averted by being realistic. I am not trying to sell hatred, but pin pointing facts that some of you with big mouths should think twice before you accuse people of worse than the facts on the ground. “Let freedom ring in the south” as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said in “I have a dream”. If you let freedom flow down like mighty waters, only then will there be a place where we all can sing the freedom songs.

Mr. Dhieu the most bitter abusive writer look at the list of the government seats and their occupancy at different levels and consider the tribes of the south in the representation;

 

President H.E Lt. General Salva Kiir Mayardit.

1.Political Advisor Mr Lual Diing Wol

2.Gender and Human Rights Madam Rebbeca de Mabior

3.Military Advisor;Salva Mathok

4.Border Conflict Resolution Mr Abdel Bagi Ayei Akol.

 

MINISTERS.

1.Luka Biong(not a southerner yet)

2. Mr Gier Chuang Aluong,

3. Mr David Deng Athorbei,

4. Michael Makuei,

5.Paul Mayom Akec Lueth,

6. Job Dhoruai,

7. Mr Madut Biar,

8. Mrs Awut Deng Acuil,

9. Mr Deng Nhial Deng,

10.Dr.Marial Benjamen.

(10/23 Ministers) are Dinkas.

 

LEGAL ADVISORS;

1. Lino Chol Aguek Meyan

2. Deng Mayik Ajang

3. Maluoc George Kolang

4. Marac Kuot Akol Thiong

5. Monika John Majok

6. Kuer Deng Ariik.

 

UNDERSECRETRIES.

1. Dr Andrew Malek,

2. Lt. General Peter Wol,

3. Salvatore Garang Mabiordit,

4. Majok Mading,

5. Mr William Ater Maciek,

6. Dr Majok Yak,

7. Mr Chuor Deng Mareng,

8. Mr Alfred Akuoch(replaced by a Dinka),

9. Dr Makuei Malual Kaang,

10. Bior Aswad

10/23 undersecretaries are Dinkas so many legal advisors.

 

 

COMMISSIONS APOINTED BY THE PRESIDENT

A.Anti Corruption Commission
Appointed Commission Members

1. Dr. Pauline Riak - Chairperson

2. Phillip Chol Biowei - Deputy Chairperson

3. Hastin Yokwe - Member

4. John Chol Ruea - Member

5. Awad Muswa -

 

B. Audit Chamber.

Appointed Commission Members

1. Barnaba Majok Barnabas - Auditor General

2. Dr. Paul Wani Jumi - Deputy Auditor General

3. Majur Nhial Makol - Auditor

4. Aurelio Agook Wol - Auditor

5. Peter Abuoi Mading - Auditor

 

C.Centre for Census, Statistics & Evaluation

Appointed Commission Members

1. Isaiah Chol Aruai - Chairperson

2. John Maciek Acuok - Deputy Chairperson

 

D. Civil Service Commission

Appointed Commission Members

1. Deng Chuol Malang - Chairperson

2. Elizabeth Patrick - Deputy Chairperson

3. Elisapana Ginaba Kaja - Member

4. Lucia Sebit - Member

5. Simon Diing Yol - Member

 

E.De-Mining Authority

Appointed Commission Members

1. Jurkuc Barac - Chairperson

2. Margaret Mathiang Deng - Deputy Chairperson

3. Makuei Philemon Majok - Member

4. Luka Ngor Anau - Member

5. Egidio Taban - Member

 

F.Demobilisation, Disarmament & Re-integration Commission

1. Appointed Commission Members

2. Arop Mayak - Chairperson

3. Ann Kima Hoth - Deputy Chairperson

 

G. Employees Justice Chamber

Appointed Commission Members

1. Elizabeth Manoa Majok - Chairperson

2. Basilica Andrea Modi - Deputy Chairperson

3. Josephine Apieu Jenaro - Member

4. Ajang Akoon Majok - Member

5. Francis Okeny – Member.

 

H.Fiscal, Financial Allocation & Monitoring Commission.

Appointed Commission Members

1. Gabriel Mathiang Rok - Chairperson

2. Representative of the Ministry of Finance, GOSS - Member

3. Representative of the Judiciary of Southern Sudan - Member

4. Minister of Finance from the 10 Southern States(except 4) - Members

5. Chairperson of Financial Affairs Committee of the S.S.L.A - Member

 

I.HIV/AIDS Commission

Appointed Commission Members

1. Dr. Bellario Ahoy Ngong - Chairperson

2. Viviana Kakulei - Deputy Chairperson

3. Dr. Angok Gordon Koul - Executive Director

4. Monica Ayen Maguat - Member

5. Representative of Youth Organizations - Member

6. Representative of the Army (SPLA) - Member

7. Representative of Indigenous NGOs - Member

8. Representative of People living with HIV/AIDs - Member

 

J.Human Rights Commission

Appointed Commission Members

1. Joyce Kwaje - Chairperson

2. Thomas Dut Gatkek - Deputy Chairperson

3. Nyang Lul Gai - Member

4. Annei Mawien Adhiik - Member

5. Kongder Dut - Member

 

K.Land Commission.

Appointed Commission Members

1. Robert Lado Lwoki - Chairperson

2. Wilson Kiri - Deputy Chairperson

3. Pio Tem Geng - Member

4. Nura Edward Zangabeyo - Member

5. Benjamin Akol Deng - Member

 

L. Peace Commission

Appointed Commission Members

1. James Kok Ruea - Chairperson

2. Peter Gwang Akich - Deputy Chairperson

3. Kennedy Gayen Ngere - Member

4. Samuel Wel Machiek - Member

5. Beatrice Aber Samson - Member

 

M.Public Grievances Chamber

Appointed Commission Members

1. Dr. Chier Deng Akol - Chairperson

2. Michael Mario - Deputy Chairperson

3. Alphones Akol Thiik - Member

4. Mark Akiu - Member

5. Achol Touch Nhial - Member

 

N.Reconstruction & Development Fund

Appointed Commission Members

1. Dr. David Nailo Mayo - Chairperson

2. Majur Mayor Machar - Deputy Chairperson

3. Joyce Araba - Chief Administrator

4. Paul Tiopic Liet - Coordinator/ Project Operations

5. George Lowah Walla - Accountant

 

O.Relief & Rehabilitation Commission

Appointed Commission Members

1. Simon Kun Puoch - Chairperson

2. Rev. William Chan Acuil - Deputy Chairperson

3. Elijah Alier Ayom - Executive Director

 

P. Election commission;

1. Mr. Abel Alier.- chairperson.

 

Q. Commission for employment of southerners;

1. Chairperson Prof. Moses Machar.

 

 

GOVERNMENT OF NATIONAL UNITY.

ADVISORS OF THE PRESIDENT.

1.William Ajier Deng,

2. Andrew Makur Thou,

3.Bona Malual.

GONU MINISTERS;

1. Deng Alor Kuol(not a southerner yet)

2. Paul Mathianq

3. Philip Thon Leek

 

STATE MINISTERS.

1. Lual Acuekl Lual,

2. Lual Achuek Deng,

3. Wek Mamer Kuol,

4. Kuol Malual Dut,

5. Mayom Koch Malek,

6. Ali Majok Al-Mumin,

7. Bol Mirial Dok,

8. Abuch Kwojok,

9. John Angol

When you closely examine the constitutional post holders from the south you find that majority are from the Dinka, especially the state ministers of GONU are almost all same ethnic group except only one and the commissions. The security committees in all the ten states except for the governor in non Dinka states are Dinka( SPLA, police commanders, security chief and the lawyer in charge are from one tribe). Is this not a domination? Dr. Garang himself said that imperialism has no color and can be from a brother. Why are our brothers the Dinka under Salva Kiir interested in taking the place of the northern Jalaba in dominating the south? But to be more fair even in the Dinka states our brothers the Dinka citizens are not happy, sections fighting against each other. Nuers in Unity state are fighting one another, in Central Equatoria Bari fighting Mundari, in Junglei Nuer fighting Nuer, Murile fighting Dinka. Thus there is a complete governance failure in the government of Salva Kiir. Thus change is mandatory.

It is true that some of Dinka fellows are from different parties, well and good. But for the sake of inclusiveness and ethnic balance, the president of GOSS could always make allowance and represent the other tribes putting in consideration the other tribe members from other political parties or even the technocrats, that should assure the rest of southerners that there is no tendency for domination from the part of Salva. How many southern tribes against one tribe?

Although with the KOKORA 1980s, yet the governments of Uncle Abel Alier, Gen. Lagu and Thumbura were real nationalists and if they had this amount of money being embezzled by Kiir’s government the south could have been turned into heaven.