South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
February 20, 2011 (JUBA) – The Sudan People Liberation Movement for Democratic Change (SPLM-DC) said Saturday that South Sudan, when it becomes independent in July, should have a prime minister as well as a president.
Sudan’s South is currently writing a constitution ahead of its secession from the North after the South vote to separate in a referendum in January. The referendum was agreed as part of a 2005 peace agreement, which brought former rebel movement the SPLM into power in the South.
In 2009 the SPLM-DC split from the SPLM to contest last year’s elections. The SPLM overwhelmingly won the vote, described by observers as being flawed in some areas. In particular the SPLM-DC complained of intimidation, arrests and other malpractices.
The SPLM-DC chairperson in Central Equatoria state, Peter Yeka, told Sudan Tribune that he hoped the new country of South Sudan would be a democratic country that will be represented by all the political parties in the region not just the dominant SPLM.
“South Sudan should have [a] president and prime minister so that all the political parties in the African newest region will have chance to power sharing rather than having president and the vice all from the same party”, Yeka said.
Under the current South Sudan government both the president, Salva Kiir Mayardit, and his deputy, Riek Machar, are both from the SPLM. Kiir will relinquish his position of first vice president of the republic of Sudan in July when the South goes its own way.
Kiir has promised to hold fresh elections soon after the South secedes.
The Central Equatoria SPLM-DC chairperson said: “The leaders that will be elected democratically should likewise serve a maximum of five years in the offices that will adopt the world standard, but not permanent in the office.”
Speaking at the party’s office in Juba – the capital of the South – said Yeka, said that, the technical committees that were formed to review the constitution of the newest state should be transparent. He also said that the new constitution should enforce term limits at all levels of the new South Sudan government.
Yeka said that laws that will come out of the review ensure freedom of expression for all political parties and citizens.
He added that, the new constitution should separate South Sudan’s army from its political and administrative institutions. Since the 2005 peace deal, the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA), which fought Khartoum governments for over two decades, has been the regions official army. The SPLM is the political wing of the SPLA, and many of the South’s politicians are former or current members of the army and security services.
The SPLM-DC member said that the SPLA does not belong to SPLM but should be for the region, to protect South Sudan from both internal and external threats.
“The vision and mission of SPLM-DC Secretariat is well spelt, they are to transform the country in to a modern state, the party also respects the right of the citizens without any tribalism or nepotism”, Yeka stressed.
Yeka said that the SPLM-DC had actively participated in the registration and education of citizens for plebiscite at from the grass roots upwards.
“The DC will make sure that, they are in full gear, (cooperation) with all the political parties in the region so that, southern Sudan will be a unique country will be love and admire by the world as they have recognized the referendum results” he said.
He also recognized the benefits of the South-South dialogue that brought all the political parties in under one umbrella in October, he says that resolution and promises tabled will only succeed when all the parties in the region joins hands to achieve common goal for the development of the country.
The SPLM-DC is working tireless to make sure services is delivered to the citizens without any discrimination because he says, South Sudan belongs to all the tribes in the south but not only for one tribe, Yeti said.
(ST)
Dinka domanited SPLA
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Really? this is another ways of sharing powers.
ahahaha some body tell me what is going on here.
Omoni Atari
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
This can only happen after Lam AKol gone, not now sir.
This is nonsense ,
Deng Thiak Adut
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
This is the most foolish, ill-idea I ever heard. What kind of democracy is this? What happened in Kenya and Zimbabwe for example are not inherited in ancient wisdoms of democracy. The situation in the above mentioned Countries were a resulted from stupidity of people and systemic failure from the ruling party (ies). I suggest that if one wanted to change democracy to reflect creature of this kind in both Kenya and Zimbabwe, it will not happened in South Sudan. All I hope for is transparency and accountability of the any ruling party. Hard work from opposition or let us got it an alternative government to keep the ruling party honest that is in fact an art of democracy and we all want to see our parliamentarian exercising thoughtful ideas.
Omoni Atari
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
to my brothers, if this stupid idea happened in south sudan,i will automatically form “south sudan Sharpshooters”.The curent system is good to me and everyone. SpLM-DC is a big disease in south sudan politics.
Matur Ahamjok
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Prime Minister in the South Sudan this crazy, this man so call Lam Akol always greedy, he want to kill this new Nation. I hope no one will listen to this bullshit Idea
Bol Deng
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Dear Lam Akol and Yaka,
SPLM-DC has been confusing South Sudan for years and this is why you are still yearning for more confusion in the New South Sudan.
I can see your cunning about proposal of prime minister instead of Vice- president. You state it clearly that the president and the VP should not be in the same party.This Lam Akol is after anything that want to confuse South Sudanese.
He masterminded the coup attempt to our late hero Dr John Garang de Mabior by fooling Riek and many others to join him to over throw SPLM in the time of difficulties.
Now, he want to create the Same problem in which he want Riek Machar to join him against the SPLM.
He must be thinking that Riek is a fool to accept his demand.
President and vice-president in the South Sudan are crucial.
Now, mr Lam Akol and your group, what is a different between Vice-president and prime minister? Can you tell us why you want the South Sudan to be rule by president and a prime minister.
If you does not know,then let me tell you that prime minister is like a president in our nations for example British. You are a man of confusion in the South better to keep quite like those who fail in their leadership. Thanks
Ajak Johnson
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Dear readers
I am sorry to heard that the SPLM-DC is cliaming for powers before independent, this clearify that thier target is responsibilities not to free the citizens of south Sudan .
In the world many countries are rule by president and vice. we are going to use the same system.
SPLM-DC should not talk becease they are not the opposition party in the south but the enemy.the opposition are UDF,SSDF,ANC and others.
Makuei
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Omoni,
Thank you very much – you said it right “SpLM-DC is a big disease in south sudan politics”. I agree with you.
SPLM-DC plagiarized SPLM to DC and they were against the independence of the region South after they have failed with their dirty Khartoum dollars, now they DCs are trying another one (prime).
If we need prime minister then the Country must be ruled by a prime minister inlieu of president.
No prime, no premier!!
Full Stop!!!!!!!!!
Liberator
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Dear Readers:
Why is it that, everyone on this forum seemed to be panicking on this type of a suggestion by SPLM-DC party?
It’s a suggestion and is not in any way binding to any amended document on future South Sudan constitution.
It is really depends on how final review of the current constitution will looks like.
For example will it be a Parliamentary or the Federal systems?
But if turns out to be the former, well, there is no way you can avoid having a Prime Minister albeit the powers of the Presidency could be drastically reduced and that of vice-president may also be eliminated.
On the other hand, if it turns out it’s the latter(Federal system) then you don’t need the Prime Ministerial post other than the Pres and the Vice-president posts.
However, the current system is very confusing since it looks like the combination of two…I think clarity is very important.
Nhomlawda
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Lam Akol and Riek Machar are the masters of anarchy in South Sudan. All those warlords including current supporters of Gen. George Athor who are now massacring civilians were created by them.
Now they want to create more anarchy during peace time in forms of systems that are not administrative friendly and less efficient.
No time for your nonsense this time around.
South Sudan will deal with you mercilessly should you try to create anarchy like what you did in 1991 which had turned greater Upper Nile into chaotic scene till today.
Jeti
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Hahahahah,what a very, very big NO!!!
The duplicate SPLM-DC should not waste their time asking for the introduction of the Prime Minister seat after full independence comes only July.
South Sudan is neither Kenya nor Zimbabwe to have a Prime Minister.
Dr. Lam Akol used to confused us during the struggle in the bush. He never been a full Southerner during 21 year old war. He spent most of his time in Khartoum rather than in the South. Forget the seat of prime minister in South Sudan. You are a weak-hearted leader.
Simon
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
A Voice that is loud and clear will always have a greater impact then a voice that is unspoken for a long time hiden by fears of unjustify reasons. Dr. Lam Akol the head of SPLM-DC is a man of his own choice and view on southerns, so far the question to myself and others on this article is where was Dr. Lam Akol during the signing of 2005 peace deal on self-determination on southerns? why did this assumption was not mention by any parliament members or the body of both parties in north and south, was that because it is not a sufficient idea to move the unity of sudan in the past or in the present or could it be not recognise by the people of sudan in whole? to captivate this article, the different between a president and a prime minsiter is that both has a similar role to play in governing and maintaining a good systematic government in other hand the president is chosen by people and the prime minsiter is appointed by its head of staff or the party itself. So the idea of this from Dr. Lam Akol is to me not convincing to me because i am a human being and a human being should not be lead into burning fire, realistically if we are to allow the idea of a prime minsiter role in the newly created state of sudan simply we are leading ourself into hands of Northern Nominated NCP government of AL Bashir. so to wharp up this article and my opinion is we all want to have a freedom and a chosen world has been given to us lets not mix it up with traitors… this is a warning from north, this idea is coming from the north, if we think about it, Dr. Lam Akol is associated in the sector of Northen sudan beside Southern Sudan. lets be open minded…
william
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
My message to all SPLM-DC members, be informed that in light of being under Lam Akol as your party chairman make sure your participation in national strategy would be very little. Because he had been tasked with many responsibilities but he managed none to the will of southerners. Therefore,it is better you supplant him with other person from your party. Since south sudan is a multiparties atate all political parties have inalienable right to take part in formulation of policie for governing the state. But should not be Lam to represent you.
Sorry,
Tambura
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Guys
The Idea of Prime Minister is good but it works perfectly in Kingdom system. I don’t know what SPLM-DC party stand for now after it was known as unity party.
I know some of corrupted official guys now will not like the Idea because Prime Minister will control government. As we all know those guys after the power which is control by SPLM right now as member of SPLM myself we did mistake in last election when we striped people whom has been elected by people and put our own people, the result of our mistake paying by innocent lives. The idea is good if it was come by somebody else than Lam Akol.
Moses Deng Malual
South Sudan should have a prime minister after independence – SPLM-DC
Dear Brothers & Sisters.
There are several countries around the world where the structure of the government requires the presence of both a president and a prime minister. While this may seem unusual to some, there are actually some excellent applications of this type of arrangement.
In most cases, the presence of both a president and a prime minister is simply a division of labor. One such example is in the country of France. Within this structure, there are clearly delineated powers between the prime minister and the president that allow each of the roles to focus on different aspects of internal and foreign policy. In each case, the central government has specified the areas of responsibility for both roles. The end result is that each office is able to focus on certain functions, and neither office has sufficient power to create some of the political issues that have plagued the country in times past. Thus, the application of a president and a prime minister in this situation could be said to be a means of building automatic checks and balances into the system, eliminating the opportunity for too much power to be placed in one office.
Other countries specify a mix of prime ministers and presidents that essentially divides the responsibilities along the lines of good public relations and serious attention to the running of the government. The country of Ethiopia is a good example of this model of having a president and a prime minister. The role of president in the Ethiopian government is strictly one that requires functioning as the head of state at national and international events. This means a lot of travel, a great deal of mingling with citizens of both Ethiopia and other countries, and representing Ethiopia with an eye toward promoting the country in the eyes of the world. By contrast, the prime minister is considered the head of government and is responsible for being a member of the country’s parliament, and serves as a Chairperson. Unlike the president, the Ethiopian prime minister holds a great deal of political power and also has a huge amount of responsibility for the efficient running of the government.
In some cases, countries that provide for a president and a prime minister in their form of government often elect the prime minister, while the role of president is appointed. In some instances, while the prime minister is an elected official, part of the tradition is for the president to formally ask the newly elected prime minister to form a government on behalf of the head of state. The president may be appointed by a committee within the government or by an act of Parliament. While the internal function between a president and a prime minister may vary somewhat from one country to another, the main purpose is to create a means of efficiently overseeing the operation of the country, both from a perspective of public relations and the actual running of the government itself.
Dr.Moses Deng Malual