Power Struggle in Western Equatoria State

By Manasseh Zindo

February 22, 2008 — Following the demise this past week of Lt. Gen Samuel Abujohn Kabbashi, who until his death was the governor of Western Equatoria State (WES), I now have an excuse to add my voice into the aforementioned topic which I had wanted to inscribe on for a very long time, but could not do so because the incumbent at the time was battling for his dear life.

It would have also been viewed wrongly in the Azande context to be discussing the governor’s position at time when he was at the climax of his long political career. On top of that, I would have been considered as one of those who were wishing his quick end, to pave way for their aspirations to succeed him.

It’s my hope that the appointing authority for the post of governorship gets to read this, because mine is a view shared by many in Western Equatoria State (WES) because of the nature of my job (journalist). The above topic is taking ugly twist every single minute, considering what is happening behind scenes as people scramble for the governorship of WES, and its my prayer that a new governor for this beautiful state be identified soon to avoid bloodletting. I am not sure what goodies accompany this seat, only those who have been there can, but I hear nothing much comes with it, apart from the visible security detail that we (commoners) see, the posh 4wheel machines, and the police siren cars, that clears the way for the occupant of the seat.

I am writing this to articulate my discontent, with the level at which aspiring candidates have resorted lately in passing their point, or how to disqualify their possible opponents or should I say “rivals”. Some of us wonder why we have continued to be witness to these dirtiest exchanges of points. I say (we), including myself and others from WES, because we receive electronic mails in our inboxes that are meant for character assassinations and disaffection amongst members of WES against their own people.

We know these people who go clandestine and I wonder why not call a press conference in Juba or Yambio to declare their interests of governorship or just place advertisements in the media instead of creating disquiet.

Like I said in my homage to our departed governor, Uncle Samuel Abujohn, none of these fellows trying to strangle one another ever dared to approach him and say, “I want to replace you as governor. Support me or tell the President to appoint me as your successor.” They have only gone from one place to another, backbiting, spreading messages of hatred and inciting masses of Western Equatoria State (WES) in what I describe as lack of vision or agenda for the people.

If we (citizens) of Western Equatoria State have a say like going to the BALLOT to elect the next governor, we would have gone by now and give our verdict. There are chaps aspiring to be governors and we could simply say; “Not you” because we have your file but since the situation in our land is now like a foot ball field, where there are players, assistant referees and the referee himself, I am appealing to the referee at this stage to give red cards to those who are not fit and allow the one with a green card to lead this great state, and if we (Masses of WES), were to be consulted, I would happily give my views to the referee on who best is fit to lead our team as our captain.

Before the passing-on of governor Abujohn, some of his own cronies were busy spreading information that he is dead, and it only took the intervention of a few of us to put the record straight amongst our people world-wide that the old man was still alive. What a mess? On the day Uncle Abujohn was flown from South Africa to Entebbe Uganda, the news of his death had spread and as I approached Entebbe Airport to receive him, my cell phone rang, it was one of our member in Nairobi calling to confirm the demise of the governor but I responded and said, “I am now arriving at the airport to receive him.” My caller intrudingly asked; “So are you going to receive his body?” I was pissed. A few minutes later, another caller from the UK was enquiring on the same and confirmed to me that a senior government official in WES had called the UK to convey Abujohn’s death. At this stage I was taken aback.

During my last vibrant chat with Uncle Abujohn, on Jan 26, 2008 in Kampala as he prepared to leave for South Africa, I asked him if he was aware that some of his own ministers were about to choke their colleagues for his seat? He smiled and told me that, during his days there was no bribing the like it is today, only a bag of sugar and a carton of soap as a token would be given to the local leader in your constituency and your case would go through, but the trend today is different and worrying he said. My witnesses are there!

Today chiefs in WES are the target of this dirty politics since they are being pampered with all kind of goodies, and for sure somebody needs to save the situation and let it be known who the next governor is, before we gather God forbid, for burial of a real causality of this deadly silent campaign.

Some of us are snubbed today at public functions by politicians because simply we questioned the timing of their interest declaration. I hear that apart from peasants and Journalists in WES, people from all professionals, army men, church leaders, politicians and business moguls are fighting for the position of governorship, in WES. This once again brings me to the question, of what package comes with governorship? I hear that GOSS ministers in Juba are responsible for discussing what enumerations a governor should get; of course that includes money and power. With this mysterious or branded package, guys are dying to occupy State House in Yambio, which is not there in structure, as far as I know because the previous governors shuttled between their private homes and office, as we all wait for the construction of a real State House in Yambio, which this powerful tenant would occupy.

If I had the opportunity today of meeting the appointing authority to this high profile office, apart from the usual greeting, I would immediately request that a new governor be appointed to fill the power vacuum in Western Equatoria State.

The author is a Sudanese journalist based in Kampala