South Sudan minister warns against forceful regime change
August 4, 2024 (JUBA) – South Sudan’s minister of Presidential Affairs, Joseph Bangasi Bakosoro has warned against forceful regime changes, citing the anarchy that follows when such a transition is not well planned and managed.
He made the remarks while speaking on Terab television during an occasion organized to commemorate Martyrs Day in the capital, Juba on July 30, 2024.
Several speakers, including Atem Garang de Kuek, former deputy speaker of the national legislative of Sudan, former Petroleum minister, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth spoke at the event. Others who spoke at the Martyrs Day occasion were former ruling party (SPLM) members Chier Chuang Aluong, Pieng Deng Kuol, Achuil Malith Banggol as well as officials in the country’s defense, security and police.
Bakosoro said violent takeover of leadership destroys the legacy of past leaders, citing the protests that saw Sudan’s ex-leader Omar al Bashir over thrown in 2019.
“Building a nation is not easy, even if you are on that chair, maybe even yours will be the worst. We complain only and complain but we don’t want to be like the Sudan. When you chase a leader by force, the same curse will come back to you. Take it from me, for me I come from a different ethnic background,” he explained.
The minister regretted how wounded heroes, heroines and veterans have been treated, despite their immense contribution toward the creation of South Sudan.
“It is a shame for me. Those people, who are there, it is a shame for us. In our culture and traditions, the person who allowed you to be free in your land, does not forget. Don’t forget. It is persuaded. If God has not persuaded you, you yourself persuade yourself because this is wisdom. They are people of wisdom, all of you here. You have the wisdom. You made us what we are today”, he said.
Bakosoro said South Sudanese leaders abandoned the vision and aspirations that led to the 1955 and 1983 civil wars, which ended with the 1972 Addis Ababa agreement and the 2005 Compreheneve Peace Agreement (CPA) respectively.
He warned of forceful power transfer, citing situations in Iraq, Libya and Somalia.
South Sudan is currently facing an economic crisis exacerbated by the conflict in Sudan, through which it exports its oil. A landlocked country surrounded by either hostile or countries interested in the exploitation of its resources and manipulating its leaders to plunder resources has since 2013 been experiencing political stability
Consumer prices have doubled in recent months, resulting in the rise of crime rates in the country, which is highly militarized and easily gets polarized and divided along regional and ethnic lines. Civil servants have gone without pay for more than 9 months, causing fear it could spark a nationwide protest to undermine security.
(ST)