The needed appointment of SPLA minister
By Abuoi Jook Alith
July 4, 2008 — The progress of the Goss’s activities that contribute to the advancement of South Sudan Nation under SPLM party is gaining momentum, with the recently introduced white paper bill for the establishment of the SPLA Air Force. I believe that the plan was triggered by previous humiliating defeat of SPLA forces by SAF’s sophisticated air forces that drove the long adored southern armed forces out of Abyei town. It is good that the SPLM led government have learnt through events this time and responded to those challenges by developing counteract. Therefore, I overwhelmingly and unreservedly rally my huge support and appreciation behind comrades who never wasted a minute in airing out their gratitude to southern legislators for their wise decision of passing a bill that paves way for SPLA Air Force creation.
Primarily, the ideology of New Sudan is solely achievable to my view through the modernisation of SPLA military capability and advancement. The transformation of SPLA forces to the international military level would work better should H. E. president Salva Kiir Mayardit with no time name the SPLA Affair Minister to be spearheading military decisions and present them to parliament for discussion. It has taken long since the tragic death of the then SPLA Affairs Minister honourable Dominic Dim Deng for the president to appoint his successor who will be running the young army that is facing a lot of challenges topped by salary irregularities and a threat of warlike situation. I personally appeal to president Kiir to avoid the ill advice fed to him by selfish figures who caused this delay in appointment of the military head in southern government and come clear with the naming of widely acceptable and capable personality who must eradicate corruption within SPLA machinery.
Moreover, there has been a rumour around immediately a week after the ill death of SPLA Affairs minister Dominic Dim about who amongst the SPLA Generals would fill his shoes with the production of a long list of generals considered trustworthy for the post. Unfortunately, it appears like none of the named generals and other southerners do not suit president’s choice to take up the military top job in South Sudan. I wonder whether the president has decided to run the nation of South Sudan minus defence ministerial position, or did he fail to get a southerner who satisfactorily meets the fort polio’s criteria. The long vacancy of this ministerial position relates to initial situation when the president primarily appointed all ministers of the Government of Southern Sudan and left the very ministry empty for some times before the deceased minister attracted his eyes. I believe that almost all former SPLA commanders can be recommended for the post in every thing, but most of them are tainted with corruption that narrow down selection criteria for the president to easily pick the best person among them. Based on my personal analysis, I realised that there might be confusion around president by those generals close to him and might be eyeing the top military post in the south. If that’s the case, then, I urge the president to either choose one of them if he qualifies for that military top job, or pay a deaf ear to those short-sighted advisors and immediately appoint some one loyal to southern cause who would effectively and efficiently deliver army service in the South.
Nevertheless, what the head of army needs at this critical stage of CPA under poor implementation by NCP is a loyal to SPLM and free from corruption personality who must fight corruption at all cost among the ranks and files of the SPLA Affairs ministry that comprises of various army departments. I hardly write article to this site, but I am forcibly prompted by this long emptiness of such a crucial and badly needed ministerial position right now in the GOSS. I believe and I know that I am nobody to make decisions happen, but I feel that it is right and free to present my view about what is going wrong in our country as a citizen. In addition, as a one-time Red Army soldier who voluntarily fought for the achievement of the current government in which SPLA affairs ministry is a part of that just cause. I deserve a say like any other southerner in revealing what is invisible on president’s sight to fellow citizens.
Summarily, the due cause of struggle led by SPLA veterans for liberation of the marginalised Sudanese is not completed and its accomplishment seriously requires defence’s chief who would smoothen the army salary payment on time so that the army remains vigilant for the protection of the south. We are at the warring situation right now with SAF, which seeks special attention to SPLA for the restoration of patriotism that we had in the bush. The issue of money will let us lose our beloved nation that cost us 2million lives during the war. The southern army is currently suffering from hunger while the ministers, civil servants in civil services are acquiring wealth in expense of our dear forces that are guarantors of the CPA. Therefore, Mr President, please appoint defence minister if you really care for the SPLA forces’ success in defending southern territory otherwise oil share may not continue without SPLA forces’ prime consideration in salary payment.
The author is a social science student at the University of Western Sydney and could be reached through: [email protected]
AramanaCaani junuba
The needed appointment of SPLA minister
Hello ABUOI,
Thanks for your article,you have pointed and reminded on crucial issue.Sometimes our human mind KNOWS what is supposed to be done but We fail to ACT,OR keep on procrastinating things.This is truely portrayed as per the article,nevertheless,let’s hope,may be may be not the action comes.thanks
Allaman Ikoilaman
The needed appointment of SPLA minister
Thanks very much sister Abuo,
All southerners are looking forwards to hearing the appointment of the vacant post since the tragic lost of our beloved Dim Dominic in a plane crash, but upto now we havn’t heard anything of such. It is true that, the proposed airforce of the military wing , couldn’t work without the head of the military department henceforth, we need somebody to replace the deceased post as quick as possible. Leaving such crucial post vacant, means we don’t care for our army and it can be seen from the way they are suffering from hunger and yet without them, we couldn’t have reached this atage.
Let us see that, work let for tomorrow, will affect the entire system since, tomorrow will have it’s duties. The political Bureau has to steer up and propose a candidate for final appointment by the President. May be the President is clouded by conflicting loyalities on who to choose, from within his cronies, without focusing far.Of course he is not exceptional from tribalism, nepotism and the likes characterised in his government hence, going to choose from where he comes from, is necessary but how about the questions from different entities?. All the above among others , are faced by the president in his final phase of selection, but remember that everybody is equal but we don’t need corrupted minds, betrayers , money lovers but sincere, committed veteran for our cause that we faced during the 2 decades.
Thanks.
Kamalong Changar
The Wiseman
The needed appointment of SPLA minister
This is a good observation on the importance of Defence minister in SPLA. Let,s hpoe he/she will be appointed before it is too late.
first reason
James Okuk Solomon
The needed appointment of SPLA minister
Comrade Abuoi Jook,
Your appeal in this article is relevant and well presented. Our President of the GoSS should not take long time calculating who is loyal to him to be appointed as the Minister of the SPLA Affairs. He needs to take a decision whether it is a bad one.
The Money wasted by many SPLM and SPLA leaders in Juba on brown prostitutes, bitter alcohol and foreign trips is sufficient to pay the salaries of the SPLA in time every month. The problem is that our leaders lack love their ranks and files.
I am overwhelmed by the talents and patriotism of the youngsters of South Sudan like Abuoi and others. However, it would be more straight forward if they liberate themselves from the delusive Ideology of New Sudan with its connotation of the liberation of the marginalized of the Sudan from Numeli in far South to Halfa in far North, and from Hamesh Kureib in far East to Geneina in far West. This unrealistic utopia is a nice ambitious dream of our late Charismatic Leader, Dr. John Garang, but its concrete realization is complicated and may be impossible. It may even spoil the quest for independence of South Sudan from the unjust colonial North. We better think and work according to the context of the CPA which only talks of South Sudan and the Transitional Areas (Blue Nile State, Southern Kordofan State and Abyei Area)and not the dream world and shadow of the New Sudan. The Author of this article mixes up between New Sudan and South Sudan and thus the content of his article becomes shaky though its message remains clear.
So dear compatriots of South Sudan, lets us frame our minds to the interest and the common good of South Sudan and leave New Sudan ideology to die a natural death as its coffin was issued in Machakos in 2002 and Naivasha in 2004.