Impunity among senior SPLA commanders
The unabated climate of impunity, harassment, bullying and the abuse of human rights in the ranks of senior SPLA commanders
By Peter Akalkal *
March 24, 2007 — The oppressed people of Sudan placed great expectations on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) sign on the 9th January 2005 between the Khartoum government and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A), and the hope to ripe the peace dividends, as well as the eventual return of refugees and displaced people to Sudan. The reality is that it is far more uncertain; the agreement is far from secure; and Southern Sudan is still volatile.
In relation to this, the peace loving sons and daughters of South Sudan on Tuesday March 2007 learnt that the prominent leading figure of the SPLA, Major general Obuto Mamur Mette, is once again targeted. Obuto was put under house arrest following the arrest warrant issued by the Sudanese First vice president, Lt-General Salva Kiir Mayardit.
He has been accused of acquiring illicit arms without the consent of the authority of the SPLA headquarters. On another account, he has been accused of sending a platoon of soldiers for training in Uganda.
Dozens of similar allegations were previously made to the late Dr. John Garang against Obuto. They were found to be radically ideological, as well as personal power and enrichment.
Obuto also narrowly escaped assassination attempts orchestrated by some elements of the SPLA in Ikuoto.
The SPLA/M security organs have the reputation of seeing senior SPLA officers off. This is evidenced right after the inauguration of SPLM/A in 1983, followed by the splinter groups including Riak Machar, the vice president of GoSS. This mistrust and unstable arrangements in the hierarchy of the SPLM/A led to escalation of conflict in various ways.
Although we have now seen a glimpse of peace is southern Sudan, it seems the National Commission on Human Right and other key institutions specified in the CPA has not been established.
Key positions in SPLM/A security apparatus are still dominated by the same figures that caused the split in the movement. They are quick to disarm, apprehend individuals subject to arrest warrants and torture. These elements are keen to silence potential heroes and leaders, and to maintain surveillance and control to protect their own interest.
The circumstance surrounding the arrest of Major General Obuto is not a surprise to the southerners because of its scenario and timing. This is the usual massive campaign of disinformation and propaganda including tribal smear from those who think height is equals to wisdom and leadership. Such philosophy only, if at all, nourishes ignorance.
This is once again another mechanism with considerable potential to contribute and exacerbate the suffering of the oppressed people of Sudan.
It is still visible, as in the case of Obuto and others, that high-ranking officials who have been assigned, military and political posts in GoSS and GONU can still administer jungle rules such as imprisonment without charges and intimidation.
Obuto has suffered considerably at the hands of the SPLM/A culture of bullying and intimidation, and would have no protection against the reputable treatment of those who wish him misfortunes.
As an Equatorian Lotuho, Obuto is in a minority tribe, which the predominant forces in the SPLM/A and the NCP treats as potential suspects. We are extremely concern that Major General Obuto is at risk of being “shot by both sides” in the current air of paranoia and conspiracy which is imbedded in the politics of Sudan.
The First vice president, Salva Kiir, should be careful not to act on first hand information. What kiir should have done is to talk to Mamur as the late Dr. Garang use to do with similar concocted, polynomial and baseless accusations against Obuto, which often turns out to be mere paranoia, apprehensions, inner insecurities and jealousy.
The arrest warrant is said to be “purely administrative”, well, if it is true, then I fail to reconcile whether administration always starts with arrest warrants.
Here we can smell the danger to the CPA and the GoNU, and Salva Kiir should not be that gullible.
I still feel that the CPA missed out one important element “the truth and reconciliation commission”, which has powers to heal the wounds of the civil war and bring to book those who committed atrocities against humanity.
Unfortunately, we haven’t learnt from our past experiences, and the political tension in the SPLM/A is always high, and has direct effects on the SPLA and the population we claim to protect.
If we are to change our image and embrace democracy, these security elements should be reformed and discharged of their abusive and unchecked powers of arrest and detention.
The GoSS is still tender and has neither established the necessary and robust protective measures for civilians nor accountability methods of operation that would give confidence for the safety of Major general Obuto. His prolonged hunt by the elements in the SPLA/M will render him liable to prolonged questioning and unjust trail.
Therefore we would like the Human Right Groups Organisations (SOAT), Amnesty International Africa Program to oversee the unfolding circumstances surrounding the fate of Major General Obuto.
However, the investigation by the committee into this matter is welcomed and should be fair.
Finally, I still believe that our people can’t afford another day of suffering unless we stump out what we can see clearly as the root causes of spending 21 years in the bushes.
* The author is Otuho Literacy Project Co-ordinator currently studying in the UK. He can be reached at [email protected]