Political parties in South Sudan’s Northern Bahr el Ghazal State have raised concerns over lack of resources ahead of this year’s general elections.
Atong Leek Lual, Secretary for Political Affairs at the National Democratic Movement (NDM), told Radio Tamazuj on Tuesday that lack of funds had slowed down political activities in the state.
“I cannot lie to you; we don’t have any resources to support us. We purchased reams of papers and other printing materials through our pockets monies because our chairman Dr. Lam Akol has no resources for the party,” Leek said.
She claimed that the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party continues to monopolize access to national resources to the disadvantage of other political parties.
Atong said peace implementation and wealth transformation requires inclusivity in access to resources.
“There is a great effect because we cannot move ahead without a budget, we used to wait for our salaries so that we can do something; unlike South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) party, which controls national resources and denies political parties from the wealth and that is why we have been calling for effective implementation of the Revitalized Peace Agreement’s wealth and resources transformation so that all shall access the resources,” she said.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity, a source from the South Sudan National Congress Party (SSNCP), said their activities were hampered by restrictions imposed by the SPLM party on the political parties.
“Of course, the SPLM party is carrying out its activities under the protection of the government but if other political parties try their best, they told to cease from rallies on the claims that parties’ public rallies are not yet legalized,” said the source.
The source further intimated that political parties are struggling with financial challenges and that was difficult for them to achieve anything as a result of the ban to engage in political activities.
Stephen Ayaga, the Secretary-General of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM), defended the party from the accusations insisting that the party collects funds from its millions of registered members across Northern Bahr el Ghazal State.
“The 1,000,436 registered members of SPLM party members in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, collect funds through monthly contributions, others contribute cars and others donate property including land.”
Ayaga further rubbished claims of ban on other political parties from carrying out their activities in the state. “All political parties enjoy equal participation as well as freedom of expression,” he said.