Why SPLM transformation may remain a goal difficult to achieve?

By Roba Gibia

Feb 27, 2007 — Despite the fact that I do concur with some of the positive and constructive analyzes of the writer in this context, but I could not agree anymore with him that “SPLM transformation may remain a goal difficult to achieve”. Simply because, it is not hard to achieve any goal if there is commitment, determination and desire to stay on course. And beside that, we have to have an overall perception of the whole circumstances and consider it from the peripheral view and not from a single angle. And more importantly, we have to take into consideration as well the surrounding conditions and the social and political backgrounds of South Sudanese and its structural ethics. Here it is crucial to declaim that south has no consistent political background and has not yet reached a political adulthood, because any Southerner’s first inclination or conviction is to its tribe as the base of empowerment, the political affiliation or nationalism comes to the second degree. And this is the bitter reality which none of us will deny it. Thus, we can conclude that there were no progressive political parties in south with clear strategies and vision as a southern or national party to win the countrywide support. As the first known southern political parties such as Southern Front (SF) and Sudan African Nationalist Union (SANU) were either followers to northern parties or ravenous parties without grassroots support. In other words or in my own view, the only progressive parties in south are tribes that are consistently fighting for the tribes share or inquisitiveness rather than national in all government levels. And this is evident, because there is general notion or perception at the midst of Southerners that if you do not have your own tribesmen in the government, your area interests are ignored. And this is the real predicament enticing South Sudanese whether being at the political party level or governmental institutions, as how to equilateral the whole South Sudanese tribes.

South Sudan’s main features like other African countries are the tribalism, nepotism and power voracity which are the chief obstacles hindering South Sudanese equilibrium as well as the key factors for there weakness. And that was obvious during the movement struggle, as SPLA/SPLM was almost torn apart by tribal and power gluttonous in which some tribes paid its price dearly, and consequently turned against SPLA/SPLM. As the disintegrated factions within the SPLA/SPLM was mainly due to marginalization of other tribes, and at one point the movement was termed as Dinka struggle. Thus, some commanders and prominent figures became variable by defecting to NCP/NIF seeking position and influence and again back to the SPLA/SPLM! All these peculiar behavior reflect true tribal affiliation and influence voraciousness of Southerners rather than political or national conviction. Thus, if you investigate the structure of SPLA/SPLM at bush, almost all the senior commanders were from one tribe that led to the formation of various factions as well as the current militias, and at a certain phase, the Equatorian Officers were obliged to file grievances to late Dr. John Garang, requesting appointment of Equatorian Officers as Commanders within their respective localities. This is precisely the overall southern Sudan configuration and nature, built on tribes but not on nationalism, due to the profound gap and lack of brotherhood in its real spirit among the tribal groups as a result of illiteracy and primitivism, which has formed fertile soil for proliferation of favoritism and nepotism. For instance the current accusation against Foreign Minister Dr. Lam Akol, member of SPLM and prominent Sudanese political figure, was quickly treated and significantly tinted on tribal basis even by so-called southern intellectuals! Thus, to be precise, this is not essence and ethics of building a nation but rather of building ethnic and clannish kingdoms.

And in spite of all these disturbing events, SPLA/SPLM with its shrewd and sparkling leadership managed to survive, not just like a ravenous or tyrannical guerrilla movement, but as a well oriented organized freedom fighter and liberation movement, with clear military and political potentiality and strategies with its own philosophy and vision. And despite the fact that the movement or leadership had been described at certain stages as a dictatorial due to the elimination of its opponents without trial and abuse of human rights, the movement managed to consolidate its control over 90% of south Sudan area, and permitted NGOs and humanitarian workers access to the liberated areas. Besides that and due to the charismatic leadership efforts and improvement of struggle face, the SPLA/SPLM succeeded in winning the confidence of international community, which in turn facilitated the peace process regardless of what was happening under and behind the trees in bush. And the SPLA/SPLM acquired credibility and status more than Khartoum government and that was obvious in keeping and releasing the prisons of war, which Khartoum government never complied with.

Though South Sudan doesn’t have political background, but it has got struggling backdrop that SPLA/SPLM utilized and took its advantage, as it succeeded in rectifying Anya-nya movement and the fragile accord faults which was concluded in Addis Ababa 1972. As the Addis Ababa treaty was widely described as South-South agreement, due to the fact that the chief negotiator and signatory from Khartoum government was Vice President Abel Alier, and from South was Anya-nya leader Major General Joseph Lagu. Thus, the SPLM political wing with its candid and strong foundation, varied experiences, strategies and negotiation skills, drove methodically, tirelessness and professionally for more than three years to present to the entire Sudanese sons and daughters regardless of their ethnic and religious backgrounds, the comprehensive peace agreement (CPA), which was the dream, choice of the majority and vision for the unified New Sudan where everyone lives with dignity and equal opportunities.

Now let us speak directly, if SPLM could survive all those hardships and complexity years since its inception but managed to stay on course and make a breakthrough in realizing one of its dreams, CPA, then why its transformation may remain a goal difficult to achieve? SPLM has got a desire, determination and commitment to fulfill all its goals, and that is apparently at the current countrywide mobilization process which is the most significant aspect and spirit for the success. Thus, we can declaim that SPLM is the most progressive political party in the modern history of Sudan, as it is the dream of the majority and choice of the marginalized people. And if at all there are differences of opinion within the SPLM, will not pose any threat to its survival or transformation but rather different opinions will strengthen its course.

As regards detestation towards Jallaba, Muslims and terming Southerners who worked with government during the war as Jallaba, are individual behavior, and SPLM shouldn’t be held accountable for some few individual, illiterate and primitive behaviors. And beside that there are complex of hatred towards Southerners and Christians and their harassment and mistreatment in Khartoum, is it also SPLM’s fault? All these counter-detestation was due to the effects of war that have left profound marks on the entire Sudanese population, and its healing will require time and good gesture from all sides. As there is deep damage to the attitudes, scars left on the human mind as traumas, guilt and hatred thirst for reprisal. And in spite of the peace, the war left behind much more injuries such as death, wounded, raped and dismantle of soul and social fabric relationships not only in south but also in north, which have serious and disastrous consequences in the society that has to be addressed through actual reconciliation and healing of wounds to restore the visible and invisible effects of the war.

In spite of all the disappointment and continued hammering criticism against SPLM from the various walks of life, in terms of performance and handling of some crucial issues, yet I believe SPLM will not tarnish its credibility and will remain ever strong at the face of waves and as one of the viable political parties in Sudan. But besides that I have to confess, that the current crisis in the SPLM-led government of south Sudan whether regards employment or being at the party and government institutions levels, is due to the lack of organized and consistency government regulations. As to initiate good governance based on potentiality and accountability, there is need for political force and social base, but in south there is no organization other than tribal association to provide social support to the political parties as well as political leaders. And the ethnic group in south is the party and the other small tribal groups are overshadowed and have no position in the government. Thus, at the early ages and due to the lack of cooperation and joint efforts among the nations, to reach the highest heights was anticipated a goal difficult to achieve. But due to the determination, commitment, desire and team work from all walks of life, mankind reached the greater heights as well as outer space to the moon, then why SPLM transformation may remain a goal difficult to achieve? Let us unite as sons and daughters of South Sudan but not as tribes, and we will overcome all the difficulties and triumph.

* Roba Gibia is a Sudan Tribune columnist. He can be reached at [email protected]