Lying to the nation: Yei’s unreliable horoscope
By Odongi IbaluKirram; The Torit Times
February 9 2007– The political landscape in Sudan is entering an interesting, complex even more worrisome stage. Last week saw the announcement in a garbled style of a new political entity coming to being. But whether this new party brings with it an untried brand of political magic to add meaning to the incapacitated environment, or it is destine to be just another statistic of a surplus of deficient political movement’s remain to be seen.
According to its press statement and title, interestingly however, the party political conceptions and ideological convictions, rest on the already distorted buzzword: secession. This of course raises many questions since several organizations with venom separatist undertones, but empty political strategies exists and did essentially nothing lucid towards the realization of secessionist goal.
You also have to ask if it is a mere fashion statement for people to come up so regularly with political parties. Whatever the mania specifically engendering the growth of parties with garbled slogans, hope something positive and unique comes out of them.
But the trophy for sensational politicking this month must, of course, go the SPLM organization way. How the country really on hearing the news reacted to SPLM audacious decision is still immeasurable at this point. Incisive analyses however started to crop up from several corners….
It is still too early to declare this is another “SPLM usual media stunt game”, since the party has pledged as its members anxious for reforms probably punched the air in a rapturously joyous mood on hearing to hold a policy conference. Theoretically, the convention would see a new president being elected: democratically not fraudulently anointed.
If the democratic card would finally come into play at the forthcoming SPLM convention, the decadent iron fist hands currently guiding the operations of the organization would cease to exist. However, with the apparent lack of discipline in the organization structures this suggests new dilemmas in the horizon.
Anyhow, the election of national executive council members would not be a task of the party’s president. The provincial or state structures would hopefully have more say as to who must go attend the convention and why. Determining therefore the eventual result of who becomes the president of SPLM and possibly of Sudan in the end.
It was just a matter of time before SPLM leadership, particularly Salva Kiir bow to the right direction. Very important foreign trips where Salva Kiir was pressured and ideologically molded contributed to Yei playing host as well siren to a strategic horoscope.
It is important to mention that SPLM continue to receive heavy pressure from Washington as well Tshwane and to a lesser extent London and Brussels to redefine its position and stick to the popular One Sudan norm. Two of the geostrategical and political heavy-weights: Bush and Mbeki exerted enough pressure on behalf of the others on SPLM to hasten its maturity in handling Sudan political affairs. That is why Yei saw a proclamation stating how SPLM is about to recommit itself to the founding principles of the organization.
But something is still not convincing about SPLM leadership attitude, especially its flawed management in government and of political issues in the country. The party’s president is still entrusted with appointing people subjectively of course to its so-called interim national council (INC), a successor to another sham council, the National Leadership/Liberation Council (NLC).
Although very autocratic such procedure exposes the true colors of one in charge. It is no exaggeration to say Kiir has revealed who he is as his management style shows. And the appointments of friends, relatives and tribe mates to sensitive key position for tribal reasons is what renders Kiir administration dictatorial, a failure due to inaction and corrupt behavior.
Kiir has two of his relatives serving currently as presidential secretaries. It is actually these two lady-men who pen Kiir speeches. It must be born in mind that all were recalled from resettlement in Canada for that exact purpose. In the modern world where government accountability, integrity demands inclusiveness without nepotism and cronyism intruding to ensure responsible management of such conduct is not tolerable. A leader with a national vision seriously committed to a One Sudan goal would neither act nor entertain such selfish ways.
The move-north plan maybe sound, but symbolically moving SPLM Headquarters to Khartoum is stupid and pathetic. The offices aren’t the one going to perform the duties demanded of but people. And since most of these people first are without strong principles and are afraid to talk turkey in Khartoum, and secondly are susceptible to corruption, and thirdly lack national charisma, stamina it is a serious joke being played here. Unless if the move-decision is premised not on empty but serious strategic and peaceably democratic coup d’état forecast.
Does no proof suggesting by packing north SPLM is going to be effective. Its secretariat can base anywhere in the country because it is just for procedural administrative work. The really work must be done in government by its president, who is also the national vice-president, and other national executive committee members who happen to be ministers, and others occupying senior positions in government. The conduct of the president (SPLM) including all others has been one of dismay, failure and inaction. What prevented them from doing their work best—both party-government’s in the first place is only known to them.
How also untrustworthy men like Tellar Deng etc were installed in Khartoum where they colluded with the greatest national enemies in NCP to the frustration of recruitment and mobilizations efforts leave more to be desired from Kiir leadership. And all SPLM leaders are culpable no one can claim to be a saint. The refusal and blocking of funds for recruitment, mobilization and other projects even in Junnub not only north indicated unwillingness by the leadership council to get organize and prepared in tackling issues.
Since the decision of stick to the One Sudan is actually not a natural SPLM verdict but an external pressure by those who call the shots in terms of donations, Kiir and SPLM leaders are lieing to the nation by characteristically relocating SPLM head office to Khartoum that now they are very serious with business. This shock-titillate-deceive gesture is likely to go down as a hollow strategic horoscope coming from the Yei meeting.
Kiir and colleagues can still avert this by honoring their promise. 2007 need to see less scandalous corruption, more commitment to service delivery, no coercive military absorption measures, no arbitrarily arrests taking place, no racist-inspired demotions in the army, no reckless and unsubstantiated lethal accusations, and of course more spunk geared to achieve a One but totally reformed Sudan must flare in Khartoum where the devil and arch-national enemy is sitting unperturbed.
SPLM/A members need to adopt realistic methods of peaceful nation building. The rhetoric of only us who fought can work in foreign service missions, and only us who participated in war can take up government jobs and enjoy any relevant privilege therein must stop. Such acts deepen division, hatred and eventually results in a vicious cycle of arms conflict.
Let those perpetuating such inhumane and primitive habits refrain completely to allow the flourishing of a spirit of oneness. Until SPLM can go beyond mere toleration to create environment for voluntary association, peaceful integration and give opportunities to deserving citizen’s base on merit not tribe and political affiliation, nothing said by them is to be trusted. Voting against their policies instead during elections time, maybe the only available weapon in Joe Dow hands: to make them wise after the events.
A party still in embryonic stage, claiming to have a liberation background shouldn’t display arrogance and self-righteousness thereby despising, isolating and harming fellow compatriots holding different ideological opinions and political inclinations. How sure are we given the measurable authoritarian behavior of SPLM that if it is voted to power it would not continue to undermine citizens’ mandate and use it instead to boost up sectional interests?
History and objective implementation of any articulated policy would be the litmus test of the Yei Strategic Horoscope. Those who left in frustration and fear on a self-imposed exile need to be invited back and without reconciliatory overtures extended to dismissing Yei’s declaration as incandescent and devious may just be on doctor’s orders.
* Odongi IbaluKirram is a freelance researcher, journalist, a media & communications consultant based in South Africa. He can be reached: [email protected]