Juba University not affiliated to particular political party

By Malek Cook Dwach Liom

October 11, 2009 — The recent clash between the SPLM-DC Students and the old SPLM Students was a shock in Khartoum to parents and entire Southern Sudanese who have the pride that their children are now in the institution of higher learning acquiring intellectual discipline, knowledge and civilized characters as future educators and future leaders.

Students, although they could be supporters of different political parties, have democratic rights to exercise politics and to peacefully express their political opinions in democratic atmosphere. In other words, in a moral sense, they should respect each other as brothers and sisters considering that political differences do not warrant violent acts. Political dialogue and debates are part of learning and hence must be peacefully approached. However, our young brothers in the Old SPLM party seem to be still far below this civilized standard that embraces peaceful approach to political issues.

I read in the Khartoum Monitor of 11/ 10/ 2009 why and how the incident happened. As a student and youth I refute the SPLM Students’ claim that the SPLM-DC students should not conduct a political rally because their party has not been registered with the Students Union at the University. I dismiss this claim because there are not any regulations and rules in the Students Union mandate that dictates or requires students of any sort of political affiliation to register their party before carrying out political activities. The only requirement for holding a political forum is only to take permission from the University administration and students union. And the SPLM-DC students followed the right procedures and were given a green light to proceed.

First, the claim that the SPLM-DC did not register with the Students’ affairs and administration in order to conduct their political rally was not a good reason from SPLM Students to impose violence on the SPLM-DC Students unless they want to tell us that the University administration has given them orders to attack the SPLM-DC Students for the same reason. Would such acclaim be a part of investigation to prove that the Students administration incited the SPLM Students in the University to assume the duty of police?

Second, the SPLM students stated that “The SPLM-DC is using our slogans and our name”…and “we told them not to use our slogans and our songs but they are insisting”. All that the SPLM students do not know is that we were all SPLM/A members by virtue of historical struggle. When the songs they claimed to theirs were produced everyone contributed. Until recently we differed only over the issues of our slogan that the Old SPLM does not have to;

Hence, the name of SPLM-DC is for genuine change in order to liberate the people of southern Sudan from the reign of terror being practiced by the Old SPLM and Government of southern Sudan (GOSS) on its people. If the Old SPLM has become a party of corruption, tribalism, nepotism and ethnic violence-instigation, then the need for democratic change is eminent and unstoppable.

The need for change within SPLM has been tried many times but the forces behind the veil of ignorance have always impeded such a progress. The real heroes and founders of the SPLM who would claim the ownership of the SPLM are those want democracy, equality, justice and peace to prevail. Our heroes, for example, late Arok Thon Arok, Kerubino Kuanyin Bol, William Nyoun Bany, Samuel Gai Tut, and John Garang de Mabior, would not claim the ownership of the revolutionary songs.

Let us simply look at a bigger picture and focus on important issues of concerns, and not to spend our energies and ability petty issues like songs. Violence will not bring us peace; only dialogue will. As students, let us concentrate on our studies. We should know that politics comes second to education, and that it will first after we enter public life after graduation. Finally, The Juba University, like other institutions, is not an affiliate of any political party; and students should respect the neutrality of public institutions. Acting contrary to such principles would give bad image to the university and possibly undermine the educational progress.

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