The Race for Governorship in Western Equatoria State
By Manasseh Zindo
March 2, 2008 — I AM back at it again and this time analyzing options that the appointing authority might deem in choosing the next governor of Western Equatoria State (WES) to fill the cavity left by the immediate governor who passed away a fortnight ago.
We have read names of populace aspiring for the position from almost all the ethnic groups that makeup the state. Folks have been calling in a conspiring manner those they consider as better placed to leak information on preferred candidate that different communities are pushing and why they back such candidates. For me, I have been telling those who call me that, I recognize the diversity that makes up Western Equatoria State and who ever is allotted, I will congratulate and accept the person as my governor in this transition period, until that time when elective politics are opened up in South Sudan, and masses can shove one of their own and rally behind.
In the mean, my searching for a rational on which a new governor will be appointed, has led me to understand that all the wannabes for this governorship in WES have their weakness and strengths according to people in proximity to inner circle that have a final say over the management of our nation.
The acting governor of Western Equatoria State by the nature of his position is regarded as a frontrunner and there is talk about this though he hasn’t told me that he is aspiring for the governorship. But names of army men and politicians in both the Government of Southern Sudan (GOSS) and those in the Government of National Unity (GNU) eyeing the job have featured prominently. Nominations have been taking place and like I said in my previous article, silent campaigns are ongoing. This past week saw nomination lists circulating in Juba trying to make its way into the office of the GOSS President, and it remains to be seen, if these lists will make it through, and if they will be considered.
Some of the nomination process was a matter of reign by aspiring candidates themselves, and though the nominations were encrusted to look as inclusive of all candidates from particular tribes the fiddly behind nomination of variety, was that candidates considered as the weakest link will be jolted to pave way for the one with strong ties either to the community or those in the government where favoritism could end the story.
But why are these entrants campaigning so energetically? Word has it that some candidates are aware of the flaw that mauls their rivals. Some are considered as cosmetic members of the SPLM; others consider themselves as diehards of the SPLM while others claim to have been handy to the liberation struggle in South Sudan. I am however, assured that the appointing authority knows who is who.
Anxiety continue to dangle allover us as we await the affirmation or a presidential decree appointing our next governor for Western Equatoria State (WES). Insiders say a strong candidate will emerge the winner who will be expected to bring unity in Western Equatoria State.
Like I said before, political process like this cannot devoid of dirty politics. Some candidates are going around demeaning others as ailing people who cannot lead a state while others are being accused of dishonest in their political career. My answer always to those who are spreading such messages is that; all of us at some stage in this life will die, so why demean one another? If a person is bedridden, we can write that one off but if he/she is able to run errands for us, let the person go for it. But a known deceitful politician should not fool his/her constituents simply because of personal ambition.
Political analysts tells me that royalty matters in politics, meaning that what aspiring candidates say or those they associate with matter a lot in our politics where there is power struggle at every level of the government, others visible and clandestine. In this particular race to the governorship of Western Equatoria State, the Azande as ethnic bloc so far have many aspiring candidates and the issue of royalty, honesty and support from the grass-root has come to hunt hopefuls as a contributing factor if another zande politician or army person is to replace Lt. Gen. Samuel Abujohn (RIP).
For other ethnic groups in the race for governorship in Western Equatoria State, the issue of associates is their dilemma considering that Western Equatoria State is exposed to many assails like the recent killings of innocent civilians in Source Yubu (Ri-Yubu) which was carried by people whose motives are questionable as it begins to emerge that the attack might have not been carried by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) as early suggested. The Ambororo (Arab pastoralists) are also rumored to be loitering in Western Equatoria State on the pretence of grazing.
With this in mind, insiders now conclude that a strong person with the aptitude of delivering the state from such bondages is being soughed amongst the aspirants and will be chosen on this basis not on favoritism as perception has it.
Like any member of Western Equatoria State, I am praying that a new governor for our state be identified soon.
The author is a Sudanese journalist based in Uganda