Sudan’s politics of assassination of political opponents
The factor of blood-, Job-, wealth-thirsty Southerners (BJWTSs)
By Sabrino Majok Majok *
March 11, 2007 — Since the so-called independent on January 1, 1956, successive ruling parties have abhorrently and consitently embarked on politics of assassination of political opponents, notably Southern Sudan icons.
As plans to kill William Deng, Fr. Saturino Obure and other charismatic Southerners, were sophisticated and methodological; the butchers-like cliques in Khartoum began their strategies to eliminate Dr. John Garang, former First Vice President of the Republic, soon after it was clear that he was a leader of formidable forces of liberation, the SPLM/A.
Some of the tactics used in the scheme of assassination, included but not limited to, psychological warfare through media misinformation and disinformation, hiring hit men, sponsoring militia, sending defectors back to the Movement, manufacturing news about Garang’s involvement in all sorts of accidents, or creation of bogus news on Garang’s assassination either by “his bodyguards” or “his deputy.”
These were challenges faced by Garang and his team for 22 years until Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed on January 9, 2005. Regretfully, they finally got Garang on July 30, barely seven months after conclusion of peace accord, and only 21 days after he was sworn in as a Sudan’s First Vice President. The assassination plans on the precious life of the Father of SPLM was cowardly implemented while returning from Uganda.
Although the planning and killing was primarily carried out by known enemies of peace (or people of the New Sudan, particularly Southerners), killers also had with them notorious BJWTSs, some of whom went on record following Garang’s death. These are their public and private prouncements:
“I am going to change my plans due to current development in the country;” “I wouldn’t have taken any position within GONU if Dr. John Garang was alive today;” “The current President is our boy;” “President Salva must distant himself from Garang’s boys;” “We must get rich before elections or referendum;” “Nobody can remove me from my position, after all, I have a solid support from my kingdom;” “My constituents are ready to confront President Salva if I am removed from my current position.”
Indeed, since the first liberation bullet was fired in 1955, the assassins (including BJWTSs) have halted speedy conclusion of liberation struggle. On their part, BJWTSs have treacherously and cowardly played various roles against the Movement. The group’s collaborative scheme with enemies was disastrous and deadly. For example, frequent back and forth movements by BJWTSs helped the enemy to infiltrate the ranks of SPLM/A and cause maximum damage, consequences of which still haunt us at various fronts until today.
Whevever South loses her charismatic son(s) through assassination, BJWTSs and their Northern allies celebrate non-stop. For example, those who planned and carried out Garang’s assassination, and those who conspired with hit folks, were jubilant when BBC announced disappearance of First Vice President’s (FVP’s) plane. In fact, NIFers and Khartoum-based BJWTSs were frantically calling Nairobi and Uganda to confirm “a long awaited dream.”
Furthermore, some of BJWTSs privately told their associates that they “were going to Juba to laugh at Garang’s dead body during the funeral procession.”
Now that Garang was senselessly and cruelly taken away from Sudan’s political arena, the questions that must be asked are (1) whether or not his assassination will end Sudan’s grubby and chronic history of political assassinations? (2) Whether or not bloody relationship between the hired guns and BJWTSs will cease to exist permanently? Or (3) Whether or not the BJWTSs are as happy today as they were at Garang’s death?
* Sabrino Majok Majok, who is a regular Sudan Tribune contributor, was away for personal reasons and we welcome his return. He can be reached via [email protected]