SPLM is catching up with Sudan’s elusive democratic transformation
By Sabrino Majok Majok
June 28, 2008 — Poised to wave goodbye to colonial rule and welcome the dawn of democratic self-government “of people, by people, and for the people,” the Sudanese were also upbeat, confident, and hopeful about their future and that of their children and grandchildren in a supposedly free and democratic secular country, the republic of Sudan. But no sooner than one year before independent in 1956 did optimism and hopes seem to disappear, especially amongst South Sudanese community.
Instead of embracing unity and good governance as expected, Northern Sudanese elite singlehandedly—and in a disparaging fashion– made decisions that were not conducive to unity and harmony of citizens of one nation. Hence, the outbreak of the first civil strife from 1955 to 1972.
During this period and throughout post Addis Ababa Peace Agreement until Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed on January 9th, 2005, the successive minority Northern regimes in Khartoum ruled the country by iron fist and military dictatorship which eventually caused more wars, massive displacements, deaths, destructions of a rare proportion, and international isolation and censorship. But things have been changing day by day upon SPLM partnership with the last offshoot of dictators, the National Congress Party (NCP).
For example, successful SPLM Congresses throughout the country and Second National Convention are living and tangible indicators that SPLM is indeed on a right track destined for a complete democratic transformation (no any other political party in Sudan’s history has ever done this exercise successfully).
Secondly, the two important documents that were passed in the convention; namely, the Manifesto and constitution are great achievements. It’s just a matter of time for SPLM to dutifully polishes Sudan’s image and re-directs the whole country back to its rightful place amongst democratic nations. But this is not an easy ride: it’s a daunting task. To get there means doubling energy and resources; it means effective management and deployment of quality workforce; it means fair and respectful treatment for all, irrespective of age, gender, creed, or status within SPLM; it means winning elections in 2009 so that we control both National legislative Assembly (NLA) and South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) for better and superb protection of fundamental human rights, democracy, CPA, referenda, popular Consultations, and to stop war and genocide in Dar Fur, to mention but a few. Yes, SPLM is slowly and surely catching up with Sudan’s elusive democratic tranformation.
The author is a Sudan Tribune contributor. He wrote this paper from Juba.