A South Sudanese observer has critcized top leaders of the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) led by President Kiir for controlling power in South Sudan.
“One wants to be the leader of the SPLM for the rest of his life, and also to be the president of the south for his life,” said Dr James Okuk, a lecturer of political philosophy at University of Juba. “So such things in a new country are not good, this causes bitterness and problems.”
Speaking at a symposium organized by al-Wehda Arabic newspaper at Green Rokon in Juba on Saturday, Okuk said the SPLM leaders use liberation struggle as a means to secure grip on power.
According to Okuk, the SPLM party is controlling power and gives the other political parties positions at its will. However, he explained that there are also leadership problems within the political parties.
“They should change a bit and give chance to a new leadership,” he said. “Maybe it will be able to administer the country in a different way. So we have a problem within the political parties, if it is not solved, there will be problems and crisis from time to time.”
The political philosopher also criticized annexation of some ancestral lands of certain tribes to other tribes forcibly by the government.
He also criticized the current system of employment in public institutions and private sector, saying appointments are made based on tribal lines.