South Sudan minister denies SPLM has failed to manage national affairs

May 30, 2013 (JUBA) – A South Sudanese minister has dismissed claims that the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) has failed to manage the country’s affairs.

Former rebels – the SPLM – have governed South Sudan as an autonomous region from 2005 and – after consolidating its control of power in election in 2010 – since 2011, when South Sudanese overwhelmingly voted for separation from the rest of Sudan.

Despite the considerable goodwill generated by securing independence, the SPLM has been accused of failing to live up to the values it claims to have fought for during the decades of conflict. Corruption and nepotism are rife in the young nation and human rights and press freedom groups have been highly critical of elements of the government, police, army and security forces.

Responding to the criticism the country’s minister of housing and physical planning, Jemma Nunu Kumba, advised South Sudanese citizens not to listen to voices critical of the SPLM dominated government.

“There are people who claim the SPLM has not done anything. This is not true. SPLM has done a lot which you are all aware of. You know that the CPA [Comprehensive Peace Agreement], which eventually brought the independence was brought by the SPLM,” Kumba said while speaking on the state-owned SSTV on Wednesday.

It was the SPLM/A which fought the war that put pressure on Khartoum to accept signing the peace and it was the SPLM which insisted for the conduct of the referendum. Now there is peace and we are living in an independent state, she stressed.

The minister was speaking at a public rally in Turalei, the headquarters of Warrap state’s Twic county. The event was organised in appreciation for the support citizens gave the SPLM in the 2010 elections.

Criticism of the South’s ruling appears to be growing among some members of the public, with many people yet to see a dividend from separation and the 2005 peace deal with Khartoum.

Mayom Alier, a native of Jonglei state who lives in Juba told Sudan Tribune it was time senior government officials learned to accept the challenges facing the country and work out how to implement plans to address them, instead of turning a blind eye.

“It is nearly two years since freedom was gained and our people have been expressing views that they have waited too long for decent jobs, education, safe and secure places to live and an economy that creates opportunities for all”, he said.

We didn’t fight and die in the struggle against successive Khartoum based regimes so that millions of South Sudan could still be living like forgotten people”, Alier added.

He urged government to focus on accountability and good governance, which he said was the only way to tackle corruption in the new nation.

“We must begin by restoring integrity at the heart of public and private life. We must protect our constitutional democracy and respect the rule of law,” he stressed.

(ST)