ICG: SPLM should urgently transform from military movement to political party
April 05, 2011 (JUBA) – The ruling party of South Sudan should speed up its transition from a military movement to political party as the declaration of the independence of the new state is imminent, the International Crisis Group (ICG) says in its latest report.
This transition process, ICG says, should involve the establishment of internal party reforms at both state and national level, by comprehensively reviewing party structures and relationships and clearly distinguishing its party activities from its role in government.
“Now that South Sudan’s referendum is complete and its independence from the North all but formalized, focus must increasingly shift to the political agenda at home. A new transitional government will preside over a fixed term from 9 July 2011, during which a broadly consultative review process should yield a permanent constitution,” the ICG report party reads.
Entitled “Politics and Transition in the New South Sudan”, the report urges the SPLM to demonstrate the “seriousness” of its plans to form a broad-based government, by appointing a significant number of opposition members to certain key ministries.
The ICG is “an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.” It provides advice and analysis to governments, intergovernmental bodies, non-governmental organisations and others on conflict prevention and resolution.
Certain critical decisions, according to the ICG, should be tackled now and soon after the country’s independence, saying such measures will define the “health and trajectory of democracy” in the country.
“Embracing pluralism now – both inside and outside the party – would lay a foundation for stability in the long term. Failing on either front would risk recreating the kind of overly centralized, authoritarian and ultimately unstable state South Sudan has finally managed to escape,” further says the report.
POST-REFERENDUM NEGOTIATIONS
The report also acknowledges the ongoing post-referendum negotiations between the SPLM and their northern counterparts, the National Congress Party (NCP), describing it as an important step towards a “peaceful separation and a constructive North-South relationship”.
“While they [negotiations] consume considerable attention of the SPLM leadership, the political landscape in South Sudan has begun to transform. From the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005, South Sudan’s divergent ethnic and political communities were united behind a common goal: self-determination”, it says.
The ICG report paints a potentially dark picture of the future of the south, citing the wave of armed insurgencies and numerous militia attacks that have rocked the region’s post-referendum era. These rebellions, it says, highlight “internal fault lines and latent grievances within the security sector.”
“Continued fighting has challenged government capacity to manage domestic conflict, risks further polarization of ethnic communities and their political leaders and could stoke broader insecurity,” it warns.
The report urges members of the international community and donors to strive to ensure that the UN Mission in South Sudan and its leadership support, but in an impartial manner, the people of the region and its government thorough a renewed relationship with development partners.
It also urges them to speed up the processes related to providing support for political party development for all in the soon to be new country. It also calls for support for public opinion polling, and the South Sudan Legislative Assembly (SSLA) members.
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dengtaath
ICG: SPLM should urgently transform from military movement to political party
Transition from military rule to democracy and civilian rule is the only key to peace and stability in South Sudan, but I however doubt whether the corrupted military government in Juba will honor the ICG call for government to switch to the democracy as required by South Sudan.
mama justice
ICG: SPLM should urgently transform from military movement to political party
I think the ICG has make a good recommendation but at the wrong time. Giving freedom to all political parties now will never restore peace in the South, believe me or not but the SPLM should take concern of their voices. According to me, it is not the right time have for freedom of political parties but it would be good after independence of the South. Please my dear get unity now and solve all the North-South problems, Abyei issue and border demarcation, and after 9 July you will work on reforming the constitution. Having many parties will confuse the public and the politicians will have divided minds.If I am wrong reflect on what is happen in Ivory’ Coast. Please for those who are tired of the SPLM, be concern of your belove people the ‘new nation’, just be patience. ‘I believe living peace is better than living in poverty’ Things never work well in a day. You will govern tomorrow in peace.
Hero
ICG: SPLM should urgently transform from military movement to political party
Dengtaath,
Wrong Sir! Even though it’s a right call, then we shouldn’t expect it to be done overnight.We are like an infant,so we must transition gradually not to overcooks the future.