Former Sudanese FM founds new political party
June 6, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Lam Akol, today has announced that he will lead a new political party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement- Democratic Change (SPLM-DC).
Akol Since last March had problems with other leading members in his former party, the Sudan people’s Liberation Movement. At the time, the SPLM spokesperson, Yen Matthew declared that Akol membership will be reconsidered by the political bureau.
The former minister, has been criticized for his close relations with the National Congress Party. Akol has campaigned in favor of the Sudanese President after the issuance by the International criminal Court of an arrest warrant against him.
Akol explained the establishment of a new political party by the need to “save the SPLM from the collapse it is heading for.” He also criticized the “bankruptcy” of current leadership and its failure to implement good governance and democratic practice in Southern Sudan where the party dominates the semi-autonomous government.
“The SPLM has lost support among the masses of our people. Rightly so, because it has lost direction and failed to present a coherent programme in Government for both the South and nationally,” he said.
“There is no organizational and political work in the party. No specialized position papers on specific issues are prepared by the party and no political rallies are held regularly even in the Capital of Southern Sudan, Juba,” said Akol to justify the spilt.
He further complained that the party “has chosen confrontation rather than partnership with the National Congress Party. This behavior contravenes the CPA.”
Akol was a key figure at an assembly of southern leaders in April at Kenana, North Sudan, that slammed the dominant southern party for its “poor record of governance” since winning power over the South in 2005.
The manifesto today echoed some of those criticisms, for instance the SPLM’s ambivalent position on the arrest warrant against President Al-Bashir, which Lam Akol vehemently opposes.
“On many occasions the SPLM has been ambivalent on national issues, such as the ICC’s indictment of the President, the last attack on Gaza, the deployment of UN troops in Darfur, etc” stated Akol.
“A party that does not engage in political ideological work is a moribund party. It becomes fossilized and irrelevant. This is the direction the SPLM is heading for. Those who care for its soul must stop this downslide,” he said.
(ST)