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SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad

By Ngor Arol Garang

July 16,2011 (JUBA) – A senior member of the South Sudan’s ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), has said he would be happy to see the new country’s National Assembly enact a law that would bar government officials from possessing houses abroad.

The flag of South Sudan flies after the United Nations General Assembly voted on South Sudan's membership to the United Nations at UN headquarters in New York July 14, 2011 (Reuters)
The flag of South Sudan flies after the United Nations General Assembly voted on South Sudan’s membership to the United Nations at UN headquarters in New York July 14, 2011 (Reuters)
The chairperson of the SPLM youth league Akol Kordit said that the wives of senior SPLM figures should be seen in the markets of Juba rather than living outside the newly independent country.

He promised that his daughter would not be educated outside South Sudan regardless of the standards of education in the world’s 193rd nation. South Sudan, which is severely underdeveloped due to decades of marginalisation and conflict.

“What about those who cannot take their children abroad. What about those who do not know where passport are processed. Where will they go?”

He said that people of South Sudan who suffered during the war with Khartoum would feel as if the SPLM leadership had turned their backs on them if they continued to educate their children abroad.

Akol, who was speaking at the dinner party for members of the SPLM in the National Assembly on Friday, said that many politicians give thanks to “martyrs” and those who supported the SPLM during the war but fail to demonstrate this gratitude in their actions.

Despite the joy of independence, which was achieved on July 9 after a referendum in January, South Sudan has to think critically about its responsibilities and analyse how the country had been governed in the six years since the peace deal.

Since the SPLM came to power as part of the 2005 peace deal the Southern government has been mired by allegations of corruption and the slow progress of development.

The member of the 27 seat SPLM political bureau, the highest organ in the party’s structure, argued that the republic of South Sudan had been cut from the Republic of “old” Sudan which he said was “a sick Republic”.

“Our first task is to make sure that the republic of South Sudan leave behind all the symptoms of old Sudan from this severe corruption to tribalism [….] to regionalism, to […] nepotism, all these we must turn our backs to them.”

He urged that the leadership of the party and members of the party in the national assembly had to demonstrate that they valued the national interest higher the personal interests.

Akolit told the political bureau that sending their children to study in the US, UK or Kenya would mean nothing if the rest of the population continued to live in mud huts and was not educated.

The SPLM youth chairman said the South Sudan parliament, which has recently received 66 additional members who used to be MP’s in Khartoum, should not shy from the realities of the world’s newest country.

Akolit warned that due to the geographic make-up of Africa’s 54th state “administrative units seem to be developing into tribal institutions”.

Some of South Sudan’s 10 states and counties are dominated by one ethnic group and this could increase tribalism if not tackled by improved education and political awareness, Akolit said.

He urged MPs to work to unite South Sudan’s many tribes so that the country could move forward as one nation.

“You must embark on programs of building of the national identity of the Republic of South Sudan. You must come up with common values [that] make us […] southerners.”

However, he said that this should be achieved without losing the country’s rich and diverse cultural heritage.

He warned the SPLM that there were many countries in the world which fought wars for independence but had fallen apart after attaining their goal.

The official went as far saying that he would prefer to see a stable South Sudan rather than an unstable country with the SPLM in power. South Sudan should not follow the example of North Sudan, which has been ruled by one party since 1989.

South Sudan’s four-year interim constitution, until elections are held in 2015, proved controversial and was criticised by opposition groups as well as senior figures in the SPLM for not being federal enough and granting to many powers to the president.

Salva Kiir, who was inaugurated as the countries first president on July 9, has the power to dismiss elected officials, in the event of a “national emergency”, including state governors and MPs at a national and state level.

Akolit said he hoped that soon South Sudan would be an example to the North of how to be a democratic country.

“New Sudan is a way of life. New Sudan is how you cooperate with others, is how you relate with others, is how you distribute wealth, is how you respect other people[s] cultures, is how you use power.”

The SPLM’s vision, he said, was no longer to “liberate” the whole of Sudan and to introduce a federal, secular, democratic and pluralistic system by force. Instead he argued that the best way to influence the North where the SPLM still has some support, especially in regions near the border, was to implement a fair system of governance.

“They will change but we have to do it by ourselves first. We have to show an example to the world and for the people. The time that is coming need[s] personal decision[s] and personal sacrifices”, he said.

To do this he urged his colleagues to imagine what it would be like to earn an average salary in South Sudan like the people who voted them into office.

He said he would be happy to be see that all the money of the country put into education programs in order to train teachers so as to avoid taking children to the neigbouring countries of Kenya and Uganda.

(ST)

22 Comments

  • Land-of-Cush
    Land-of-Cush

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Nice strategies citizens of new nation, if we haven’t raise our voices together then we will achieve nothing and end up with tribalism. These issues need those commentators to take it seriously and challenge the government in power for them to present the interests of the nation.

    Reply
  • Adam
    Adam

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Mr. Akol Kordit,

    You should have asked those (most of SPLM/A leaders) to draw their fatty bank accounts abroad (Billions of $), sell their palaces and mansions (worth of millions $) and deliver to the GoSS to use for infrastructure, heath, education and agriculture, the thing that they should have done since 2005 onwards. Petro-Dollar has been looted brother, time has been wasted and the people are left with nothing but what Amoum, Alore, Atem and many of the trouble-makers and tribalist achieved (!) – Nothing.

    We don’t need rules or laws to prevent the hyenas stop their selfish behavior – we need to change them. We need to send them abroad so we can build our new country without them. They can never be corrected brother.

    Adam Milawaki, Kwajok

    Reply
  • Nhomlawda
    Nhomlawda

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Akol

    We know you as NSYA chairman in Nairobi during the war.
    You are corrupt and dictatorial like those you are advising now.

    Anyway, if you have been changed by divine powers from Saul to Paul, then you need to advise your uncle-in-law (Salva Kiir) to be with people of South Sudan other than being with politicians of South Sudan.

    We want demonstration of SPLM seriousness through action not words anymore.

    SPLM had copied NCP behavior of blaming Israel for their failures. SPLM had been blaming NCP for their failures over the years of CPA Interim Period.

    South Sudanese need not to hear that blame game anymore in ROSS.

    Reply
  • Mi diit
    Mi diit

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    akol paul,

    it is tribalism and regionalism that brought you to splm political bureau. you were in khartoum during the war and just joined the splm in 2003 after the signing of self determination’s protocol yet you were promoted to the highest body by your uncle, salva kiir.

    most of you have looted the money for the last six years and your ringing of bell this time is too late and shedding of crocodile’s tear.

    why don’t you resign like pagan amum who has been forced to resign after looting millions of dollars and sabbotaging his bosess.

    Reply
  • Sombiri
    Sombiri

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    The first task of the 27 seat SPLM polotical bureau is the declaration of all their assets including all the law makers. The issue here is not possession of property abroad. How did you acquire it?

    Reply
  • Genuine Leader
    Genuine Leader

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    * Akol Paul Kordit,[ power exploiter][none real red army ] the issue is not abroad houses posesing by senior SPLM members, the problematic of SPLM senior members including you is a problem of saving national wealth or money abroad rathen than south sudan banks.

    * Akol Paul Kordit you are PB members you own same right,power and corruption like your uncles, why you like much rhetoric and lecturing than action. you must direct and clean yourself first from corruption dogma , than clean your uncles too from corruption dogma.

    * keep you tongue short, from martyrs issue, because you are not real red army participant, you are power exploiter far from feild in Nairobi behind SPLa/M shadow.

    Reply
  • Ayuen deng
    Ayuen deng

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Its a good start if they will do as they say ,the wives of ministers should be seen in the market of south sudan shopping like other woman and the childern of ministers should also study with the children in south sudan.So that the schoolS are improve for abetter quality education for all.Because in the last six years schools are not improve in term of learning texts books. those text books will never promote quality education ,i was once a teacher and if we were taught using those book then we would have not learn to this extend.So i advice the ministry of education to allow the teachers or other experts in the field of education to start publishing good books.this will promote easy learning for the children.

    Reply
  • Ayuen deng
    Ayuen deng

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Please !!!!! Please !!!! stop ethinicity fight here. we are talking about what will bring in development to south sudan you power angery. you don,t know that future belong to us.And so we should start asense of leadership now not writing nonsense all the time.

    Reply
  • Dinka Dominated SPLA/M
    Dinka Dominated SPLA/M

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    well done Bor Dinkas you are always a light of this country. you can bring anybody to the power and you can fired anyone in the power.

    One thing I disagreed with my Bor Dinkas where my mum came from is the idea of forgiving the wicked man Riek machar after he committed crime in the names of ovrthrowing Dinkas government. that is what i don’t and still don’t like it.

    To be clear. Dinka bor are really ruler with intelligence. they know how to tackle their enemies and make them surrendered just like Nyagat riek machar who lat himself be fool by white whor and evilsh so called ngudeng and foolsh wurrynyang.

    In this world of today. people go to church to pray to God in order to be forgiven yet there are alot of doom community who don’t believe in God but useless godless like ngundeng and stupid useless wurrynyang.

    South sudan should have been a good country if they were helping fighting arab but they were siding with arab in the name of food and power which is now still kept them under the shadow of doom in their future generations.

    look now Riek machar is a coward who don’t have ability to do good but runing behind the scen trying to sneek by lie and fool which he never work for.

    It is so good and great that the majurity of southerense knew that during the war the So called opportunistic dog and great shallow minded and a coward at the same time was bussy eating with our wellknown enemies arab.

    Nuer educated people are enjoyed what they never deserved to get in south sudan. now you can see restricted riek machar walking under the shadow of of those he stabbed at the back during the struggle.

    Doom and madness are in one commuinty who don’t accept one leader at the times but thinking like foolish people yet they are.
    i am a son of well known liberator born in Agok form awan Chan and grown up in United Kingdom.
    may god bless the Queen and people of south sudan and in particular Great Monyjeng aka DInkas.

    Reply
  • Dinka Dominated SPLA/M
    Dinka Dominated SPLA/M

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    What are you talking about you Nhomlada?
    Don’t be naive. I am telling you that you are naive but don’t be naive. that is all what i can tell you. leave Mr kordit alone

    Reply
  • Anei Matungphat
    Anei Matungphat

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Well put Akol Kordit,
    Our country come first…..Nation above everything

    Reply
  • Abraham Majur Lam
    Abraham Majur Lam

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Bravo brother Akol Paul Kordit for your statement and be care,because most of your friends in SPLM-PB own villas/ houses abroad and they will automatically become your enemies as pertaining this statement. I hope and very sure among 27 members of political bureau unless ten own no houses abroad. You remember what happened last year when our BOSS Governor stated that there are some Southerners with huge/fat A/C and he was wondering where these fellows got money. On the following day there was allegation of shooting around his home. Take good care of yourself. You people in SPLM-PB are policy makers and the same time breach your own policies.
    The entire South Sudanese community is watching and we shall all see how you will drive the new nation too. During the Interim period the SPLM leadership claimed the slow progress in development and service delivery to NCP and after independence, I don’t know which factors will you leaders attribute your failure too. However much some of us are SPLM die-hard supporters there is something need to done regarding our Party in the way it affairs are being handle at the moment. I wish all South Sudan Ministers dedicate resources given to them like Hon.Lino Makana ( Minister of Road and Transport). Am very proud of him and I pray and wish that H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit reappoint him in the Transition government in the same status,however much we are related in anyway but his vision made him my favorite and we should have principle of appreciating of someone efforts regardless of tribal,religious, social and political affiliations.

    Reply
  • MJriaksdca
    MJriaksdca

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    The minister has spoken and deserves much board of thanks, but I only hope that he spoke from the heart for many of these politicians are known to speak like this. I hope those he spoke to heard him and will impliment his word into action. This is all we need. We need our politicians to give up their personal greed for the sake of the new nation to even come up to an average standard of development. It is now ranking at the bottom among the 193 countries of the world.

    Reply
  • dakin
    dakin

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Officials should steal money and spend it at home like him rather than in foreign lands as Pagan and others are doing, maybe is what Mr. Akol is urging his colleagues.
    That is a point in a way
    Wonderful!!

    Reply
  • Nhomlawda
    Nhomlawda

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Dinka Dominated SPLA/M

    Are you in Juba? My friend people are getting impatient about lack of service delivery.
    Even people in Awan Chan, I believe are getting impatient too for lack of development.
    It is time to advise President Salva Kiir to leave being soft on politicians who are corrupt and get tough on development.

    The president has to champion stopping corruption initiative in ROSS; that is what Akol is talking about too. But my problem with Akol is that President Salva Kiir is his uncle-in-law whom he has access to him anytime he wants to meet the president. He should tell those things to the president other than coming to the public and single himself out to be better than others in SPLM leadership.

    Akol is a dictator, in Nairobi, he ruled NSYA with iron fist. NSYA did not hold election and no accountability for more than 7 years under his leadership. He fired all elected members of NSYA and appointed his own. He refused to hold general assembly meeting as required by the constitution of NSYA. Akol declared himself everything from accountant to president of NSYA. Akol is corrupt and a dictator as long as I know.

    Akol does not have moral authority to single himself out from other SPLM leaders to be a good person. No.

    If we don’t tell ourselves something wrong, we cannot progress. We have to advise Mr. President to move fast on development so that he can get chances for re-election after four years.
    Being quiet about SPLM mistakes mean you dislike the president to rule people well. Lack of constructive criticisms means lack of new ideas on how to do things better.

    I am a member of SPLM but I have to be concerned if services are not reaching children, widows, mothers and fathers of those who lost their lives during the war.

    Reply
  • Bush
    Bush

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Yes, don’t steal and take it outside the country but keep it and use it for developing your country. Is that Akol Kordit mean?

    God help the New Republic of South Sudan from the hands of tyrants and dictators!

    Reply
  • John Gum
    John Gum

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Dear All,those who praise Akol,u absolutely right sudanese who really suffered during the struggle and have attained education here in bush then those who exile and eductate their children in abroad.

    Akol,keep it up do not shy,this is your country and i would also advise u to seriousely focus on our Lake State affairs to bring change by removing the current hungry governor and replace Gabriel Kuc Abiei, if we really need development,if we need to stable the insecuity,if we need our children to be educate here in better schools,if we need to stop corruption,Kuc is the best option who will bring change to our state,then the corrupted government who know only how to smuggle money into abroad banks.Rumbek secondary is an example show Gabriel Kuc can do better then anyone here in south-sudan.70 cows bought by Gabriel as for students,are also e.g of Gabriel Kuc.to mention but fews.

    Thanks so much,John A Lake State citizen.

    Reply
  • Josh
    Josh

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    yes the message of Ngor Arol is clear and nice in my eye. Say NO to tribalism,
    say No to racism,
    say No to corruption,
    say No to weak leader.
    Give power to the people of south sudan

    Reply
  • doublebookdialled
    doublebookdialled

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    I hope this time the Lord will bring the hearts of blind tribalist who normal avoid taking the right track because his tribemen follow that wrong track.
    the whole of SPLM post holder whether from Boma, payam, county,state or Goss are corrupt and if the laws are now to be followed they should be investigated and i am 100% sure that they will be found red handed.

    the citizens of the this new nation are really unluck to have these cruel leaders at the time where services are eagerly needed.
    the citizens should unite this time and liberate these corruptist out of the power and eat their money abroad or else their accounts should be freezed.

    Reply
  • Martin Muong
    Martin Muong

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    You have hit the nail on the head there, Akol.

    Reply
  • Lokeji
    Lokeji

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    It’s a well known scenarior that many politicians are now ravaling for positions or trying their level best to disk themselves into the new government.That is why many of them are now coming out presenting their views regarding the future of the new nation.But what is suprising is that, Akol Kordit is coming out today to repeat to us the same things that many of us were calling for since 2006, where an overflowing number of our younger brothers were taken to east Africa and other countries to be taught foreign history.although he didn’t tell us openly, but we know the inner motive of this abrupt courage which is just a scramble for a position in the new government.So it’s useles to attribute to such individuals heroism while he is back by his individaul interest and using civilians rights as a bright to attain his motives.
    Dear president, many these days will become angels and living saints inorder to convince you to choose them into the new government but we place you into the hands of God to render you his divine wisdom which will enable you to select for us good servants not masters.

    Reply
  • Odingo
    Odingo

    SPLM seeks a law baring government officials from posessing houses abroad
    Great Speech Mr. Akol
    Folk, This man talk like a president. Take a look at what Mr. Akol said” he wanted a stable South Sudan rather than unstable South Sudan with SPLA in power of dictating leadership”.

    Well Mr. Akol Koldit, everythings you said are all true. You need to tell President Salva Kiir to stop tribalism or this coutry gonna red with blood one way or another if Dinka are still dominating others tribes in GOROSS.

    Reply
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