Why Dr Lam Akol is not innocent? (2)
Why Dr Lam Akol is not innocent? (2)
Why Dr Lam Akol is not innocent to quit Ministry of Foreign Affairs as we rewrite the history?
Article No (2)
By Yai de Dut
March 6, 2007 — As part of an Open Letter titled “End …End Occupation and Free ….free People of Southern Sudan from Nepotism Practices” and it was addressed to Dr. Lam Akol Sudanese Minister for Foreign Affairs but in this juncture I would like to focus on what he represents in terms of ideology and literature in a post CPA context, and will also explore the historical and social dimensions of Lam Akol as an attempt to relate to the public in terms of his political relationship to the SPLM and ideological orientations. I will also explore the dialectical interplay between the political import and the aesthetic qualities in Lam Akol character in a view to undermine his tribe-mates leadership in particular SPLM leaders from Cholla/Shilluk community i.e. comrade Pagan Amum and Dr. Peter Adwok. Since the basis of this article is one among many requests for Dr Lam Akol release/removal from Ministry of foreign Affairs. I will define the term in relation to it. Moreover, I will contest Lam Akol conclusion that is not genuine, creditable and authentic human beings to represent Southern Sudanese interest in Foreign Affairs Ministry. As he usual in political dating with NCP because he does not produce what we assumed. The outcomes of Lam Akol political implication and social disorder are the unavoidable product of National Congress Party (NCP) contemporary POLICY to upset the CPA implementation and to cause troubles in SPLM.
It is significant, that the relationship between the NCP and Dr Lam Akol goes back to mid 1990s as consequence of his dismissal from Naisr Faction group and later ended with historic Frankfurt and Fashoda deal. In my opinion Lam Akol collaboration can not be traced and described as unrealistic political affair: A relationship that can never lead to prosperity in the interest of SPLM favor. Hence the Fashoda Peace Agreement signed between NCP and Lam Akol SPLM-United was a result of the sold-out deal between him and NCP which at the end of tunnel easily led to SPLM-United collapse. It is a relationship that does not take into account people’s suffering. Of course it is poor political quality and narrow breadth of treatment, if this debate failed to appeal to both the SPLM leadership interested in the subject of national cohesion, survival and the public who is looking for a good governance practice and nepotism-free. But this argument is a recap on issues I have outlined above and does provide much convincing evidence in support of facts in regard to Dr Lam Akol‘s political maneuvers to cover-up for NCP ill-theories against marginalized people of Sudan and people party SPLM.
In fact, it is undoubtedly difficult to understand Dr. Lam Akol and NCP affairs without having a kind of historical perspective through which the reader can comprehend, not to say analyze, the genesis of this relationship with NCP during and after Fashoda Peace Accord. Some critics of today consider Dr Lam Akol to be a spokesman for NCP a new form using SPLM ticket. Moreover, he officially joined NCP regime after peace accord in 21st April 1997. In outlining how Lam Akol statements contradict his own political philosophy and short-cut return to power, he discussed the need for a drastic change in NCP Constitution to run for the position of Assistant to the President of the Republic by then Dr. Riek Machar was the man of show but he lacks mechanical support within what was named internal front of NCP supporters. He based his conclusion on the notion that if he could go for Upper Nile State Governorship/ Al-Wali but doing anything that is not in the NCP interest was extremely difficult for new NCP born-again politician to become a governor.
Unfortunately Lam Akol was beaten by Mango Ajak in running for governorship seat in Malakal on the excuse that unfair contest with NCP and Dr Riek Machar should recommended Lam Akol in his capacity as President of South Sudan Coordinating Council which. For the record he has undermined Riek Machar authority before he started his campaigning for the seat because he was self-appointed candidate. Though, I believe the election for governor seat wasn’t fair according to Lam Akol claimed later. After Dr Lam Akol failed to secure Upper Nile top position in the state, he decided to declare/opt for NCP in order to get ministerial offer and he did.
By early 1999 Dr Lam Akol developed interest to join anti-NCP group called (Al Kutalla Al Sudah within the Parliament) means Black African Cocas group in National Assembly at those days. Again Lam Akol during Twaali democracy quickly lost the interest to continue with Black African Cocas in Khartoum and opted for Justice Party in June 1999 with those of Amin Banani but Lam Akol intention seriously aiming to secure the top position with in the party. Most importantly Justice Party was registered by Matur Mahindi from Lakes State in April 9th 1999 but the guy still in Khartoum and he was deprived from ripping the fruits of his labour by those of Lam Akol.
The ending of Lam Akol political inconsistency order resulted in his cross transfer from right to left, pro and cons across the Sudanese political board; this reminds me with footballers transfer from club to another depending on good payments to play for the club which has pledges much resources. This inconsistent attitude created hopes and ambitions for the newly NCP opportunistic Lam Akol, but optimism was relatively short-lived. Accordingly Lam Akol made a comeback to NCP in 2001 and in which he toured Upper Nile territory of SPLA-United forces since he left them in 1997 and moved to his lovely city Khartoum. It was witnessed by many concerned group including those of SPLM-United, Lam Akol has abandoned his army for a long without proper logistical care, and this caused him a lot trouble with his own field commanders! Then afterward just before signing of six protocols 2004 in Naivahsa he presented himself to Late Dr John Garang former leader of SPLM/A and declared his returned to SPLM and he has jumped out from NCP cache. My question to SPLM Leadership by then and now to what extent did Dr Lam Akol had relinquished himself from NCP control? of late it became clear that Lam Akol is continuing to further NCP influence, located in flexible combinations of the social destruction, nepotism, the political, and the military rebellion in Malakal in Nov 2006 which is another manifestation of NCP and Lam Akol ill-desires to rein-off CPA. If you use the classical definition of opportunistic character of Lam Akol this is a massively and typical NCP style. Even post-CPA, Lam Akol special interests run this government foreign policy.
In my open letter to Lam Akol I have mentioned something in regard to the appointment of 60 diplomats and 16 ambassadors. Sincerely I extremely have no doubt that all the comrades being proposed to refill-in SPLM portion are absolutely qualified in terms of their academic credentials as well as experiences they have in live. But my interest lies on inappropriate procedures taken by Dr Lam Akol and NCP dodgers in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. For instance Lam Akol’s human resources department in the ministry has designed anti-SPLM requirements. From the very beginning SPLM applicants were told that to provide (a) academic qualifications from recognized institutions. (b) Proof of military service exemption certification letter. (c) Birth and Nationality certificates. (d) Medical fitness certificate from Khartoum hospital. (e) Recommendation letter from Referees …etc. Those requirements, like others in NCP intention will troubles the completion of SPLM indicated appointments and that “too many of the applicants … are falling out of the NCP criteria. It is a chaotic, ambiguous process; hence they do not know, in the beginning, to which the procedures are speaking, I guess those criterions are to trouble SPLM diplomats. The NCP needed to be confronted with is both political and realistic logic, a partner that is not responsible for the development of the South Sudan. Rather, according to my simple observation NCP is responsible for the tragedy in if anything happened in their lives.
I would like to bring this concern into the attention of President Salva Kiir to intervene and do something about Lam Akol human resource structural apartheid in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before it is too late to handle. Please stop playing with people lives. All knows that the appointment was political and should remains as it is! For the sake of NCP argument if SPLM failed to meet those bogus requirements shall we keep silence on that? No they must be allowed to commence immediately. NCP did recruit its cadres into different civil servant positions without a simple interview.
Breaking with the past, Dr. Lam Akol mimics a political career, imitating the display of power hungry he sees in the NCP doctrine. He needs a model in everything, and I believe he heard that NCP masters used to do that since the birth time of Islamic movement (National Islamic Front) in Sudan. Of course, he understands the theoretical nature of NCP politics. It is not something that has been produced in his own culture: He can only mimic the external gestures of political life which are alien to the NCP experience. Although he claims to have an independent status, he is dependent upon NCP advisers and experts. When Dr Lam Akol assumed the businesses of foreign affairs policies, he delivers them to his supporters NCP, not to the SPLM interest or the people of Southern Sudan and other marginalized areas. Absolutely to radicalize, we were expecting too much of the President to remove him. No one was willing to take responsibility. Now responsibility has been forced on the people like comrade Kosti Maniba – Minister for the Ministry of International Cooperation and others in a committee to investigate Dr Lam Akol political performance as per SPLM National Council – Yei recommendation. It was very pathetic to see free hands because he does harm to SPLM and knowing the meaning of what he says; and significant because it indicates the position of Ncp’s post-CPA states, in the sense that the so-called Government National Unity Policies are otten. I will discus in length what we are interested and expected to advantage for Kosti Maniba and the committee to find out from Dr Lam Akol in the next article (3).
From the political perspective, Lam Akol’s primary interest with NCP seeks to offer justification to the strategy to isolate SPLM from other political forces such as NDA and weaken its structures because NCP lives in contradictive environment. We in the SPLM must earn our rights by performance of our commitment to implement what is written in the CPA as well as to watch out NCP traders. SPLM leadership needed to take responsibility for their government officials’ actions at both levels in the South and North.
Of course, the political equation that runs the foreign policy of the Sudan is reflected on the internal affairs of the SPLM as well as the South Sudan itself. All the people should be dependent on the CPA and remember that it is always present. Hence Dr Lam Akol photographs appear everywhere and every time on media as a picture of all partners to the CPA. However, the hidden strategy of NCP that expected to be transmitted through Dr Lam Akol and one tends to think about is a new revolution against the SPLM’s aspirations toward just, equal, prosperous and democratic Sudan. NCP together with Lam Akol are expected to compromise SPLM stake in Foreign Policy by preserving certain social, political realities and by adopting certain principles. For example SPLM calls for immediate intervention of international community either through United Nations (UN) or African Union (AU) in Dar Fur. What is NCP stand on UN Peacekeeping in Darfur? Is it different from SPLM? Definitely yes but to which part do Lam Akol belongs? I believe Lam Akol is pro-NCP not SPLM leadership stands. As a result some of us have decided to face the ENEMY with political confrontation … By ENEMY means the powers of imperialism, that NCP and the puppet powers that be, the false gods (Lam Akol’s bogus diasporas like Shilluk International Congress) the priests of nepotism and teachers of tribalism who give false interpretations against national interest… The schools teach ignorance of self-gain, corruption and people practice ignorance in preference to jeopardize SPLM noble objective in achieving just and peaceful Sudan … SPLM have no disease or free from conspiracy theory education as NCP and its allies do. We do not print books and make speeches to betray the SPLM royal struggle as some traders did, Lam Akol book called In Sight to SPLM….is a typical spirit of betrayal. In order to continue and to achieve this liberation, the SPLM leadership must resort to encounter NCP’s good boys in SPLM plain cloths.
I fail to see how much needed by SPLM Leadership and in particular comrade Salva Kiir the President of GOSS and First Vice President of the Republic or why asking for more evidences to prove Lam Akol’ guilty for his ill-disciplined actions, actually to ensure that people’s demand is met, that Lam Akol must quit or remove from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs he has done the harm and not innocent. Again SPLM leadership must ruthlessly deals with everybody who ever put on SPLM jacket and tie to serve NCP masters and all the servants. This is the only way, to go back to the beginning before it’s too late-
We continue in the next article (3)
* The author, who is a SPLM member based in Southern Sudan, played an important role in the initiation of the SPLM Northern sector and in contacts with the Darfur rebel groups. He can be reached at [email protected].