Kiir is an experienced soldier, not politician
By David Okwembah, The Nation
August 4, 2005 — Mr Salva Kiir Mayardit, the new leader of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), is an experienced soldier, but with little experience in politics.
He remains the only surviving founder member of the SPLM/A organisation, which Dr John Garang led since 1983.
Prior to the founding of SPLM/A, Mr Kiir and Dr Garang had fought in the Anya Nya rebellion – the first war between the Khartoum government and Southern Sudan.
The new SPLM/A leader, who speaks fluent English and Arabic, is on record as having confessed to be a soldier and not a politician.
Mr Kiir, whose stature in Southern Sudan had in recent years grown immensely, was seen as Dr Garang’s pointman in the convoluted peace talks that were finally signed in Nairobi on January 9.
Although the world may have little knowledge about Mr Kiir, those within the movement have great respect for him.
A devoted Catholic, Mr Kirr had just been elevated to the position of Vice-President of the Southern Sudan government last month, thus making him Dr Garang’s heir apparent.
His elevation coincided with the reshuffle of the regional chiefs in Southern Sudan, which analysts say was aimed at giving Dr Garang an upper hand in the management of the affairs of the region.
Within the SPLM/A, the move was seen as a reward for his steadfast support for his boss throughout the struggle for the liberation of the south.
Even when the SPLM/A was faced with a major crisis and most of Dr Garang’s lieutenants broke away, Mr Kiir stuck with Dr Garang to rebuild the organisation and sustain the liberation struggle.
He was made SPLM/A deputy chief of staff for operations and security in 1986.
His consistent support for Dr Garang also led to his elevation to the position of vice-chairman of the SPLM/A in 1997. Two years later, Dr Garang appointed him the SPLM/A commander-in-chief.
Mr Kiir was back in the picture in 2002 when the SPLM/A entered into negotiations with the Khartoum government at Kenya’s Eastern Province town of Machakos.
Indeed, when the Machakos protocol was signed, it was Mr Kiir who appended the signature on behalf of the SPLM/A.
The Machakos protocols were the basis on which the recently signed Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) for Sudan were based.
A member of the Dinka ethnic group like his predecessor, Mr Kiir weathered many storms which would have led to his sacking.
Many people have viewed him as a submissive man who would not challenge Dr Garang for leadership.
Indeed, it is said that many are the times when people urged him to take on his boss but his answer was always that he was a soldier and not a politician.
Talk of a split between Mr Kiir and Dr Garang has been in the air since last December when it was reported that he would be replaced as the SPLM/A boss.
And last month, The Sudan Vision Daily reported that Dr Garang planned to sack Mr Kiir, who hails from the Bahr el-Ghazal region, and replace him with a submissive character. However, this did not come to pass..