BY JWOTHAB OTHOW
The Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) Party leadership made a colossal mistake in 2005 by choosing Salva Kiir as the successor of the late Dr. John Garang. As a result, South Sudanese today are suffering due to this bad decision made by the SPLM leaders and cadres after the tragic death of Dr. Garang in 2005. During that time, the SPLM’s bush culture of seniority played a role in selecting Kiir as successor without considering his capacity and vision.
The SPLM leadership should have recognized that since Southern Sudan was going to gain independence from Sudan in 2011, a different leader with the capacity and vision to build a new state should have been chosen. This is not to discredit Mr. Kiir as a freedom fighter who contributed to the war of liberation. The simple fact is that he lacks the capacity and clear vision required to develop a new nation. Kiir could have made a better contribution as the chief of South Sudan’s intelligence, rather than as a president leading a new nation. Building a new nation requires a visionary leader with the capacity to develop a new republic.
In my personal opinion, I believe that the method of seniority used by the SPLM leadership to choose Dr. Garang’s successor was not the best decision. The SPLM leadership was aware that the people of South Sudan would ultimately vote for independence in 2011 during the referendum. It was important for the SPLM leadership to recognize that a new nation would require a visionary and capable leader to build South Sudan. They should have understood that this new nation needed a qualified technocrat with diverse capacities to develop the country. However, they chose to ignore these factors, and now the people of South Sudan are paying the price. President Kiir lacks a clear vision and plans for developing the new country, and he failed to unite the people of South Sudan to build a strong nation. Unfortunately, Kiir has demonstrated tribalistic tendencies by dividing the people based on their tribes. Just imagine if the SPLM leadership had chosen a leader who could bring unity instead of division, South Sudan would not have been treated as President Kiir’s enterprise, neglecting the needs of its people.
If the SPLM leadership had made the right choice for the leader who would lead Southern Sudan after the independence of South Sudan in 2011, the country would be much better today. We would not be facing the challenges we are dealing with now under President Kiir and I am sure South Sudan would be in a far better position. The country possesses abundant resources, aside from oil revenue. What the people of South Sudan needed was a leader with a vision, capable of uniting them and fostering their contribution to nation-building. By now, most of the children who began first grade in 2005 would have completed 12 grades and pursued further education, actively participating in the development of our nation. South Sudan possesses significant resources that could have facilitated rapid development if we had the right leader. Without a doubt, we can confidently say that by 2050, South Sudan should have eradicated illiteracy, ensuring that every citizen of South Sudan can read and write. Unfortunately, President Kiir did not possess a vision for the future of our nation. Instead, he engaged in tribal politics that divided our people and led our country into an unnecessary war in 2013. Kiir has indeed presented himself as a president driven by Dinka nationalism.
In 2005, many of us who were observing the SPLM elites noticed their attempt to create a society divided by class, where only the SPLM leaders would benefit from the wealth. This resulted in systemic inequality and marginalization of other communities. As South Sudanese, we fought together as one, regardless of tribe, for the freedom of our nation. Our goal was to establish a society that upholds equal justice, tolerance, and equality for all citizens, celebrating our rich diversity. It is worth pondering why all tribes of South Sudan could not unite as South Sudanese before identifying with their tribes. The SPLM officials, including President Kiir, have misused billions of dollars that could have been used for the development of our country. For instance, South Sudan could have built three fully equipped modern hospitals in the former regions of Upper Nile, Equatoria, and Bhar Ghazal. These hospitals would have been capable of treating various diseases and providing necessary testing and procedures.
Moreover, South Sudan could have constructed much-needed roads, bridges, and highways across all ten states. Examples include the Juba-Terekeka road and the Bahr Al-Ghazal highway, as well as the road from Juba-Bor to Malakal. With proper leadership and a vision for national development, the South Sudanese government could have undertaken these infrastructure projects. Additionally, our fertile land could have been utilized for agriculture and farming, enabling us to produce enough food for the entire population of South Sudan. However, this can only be achieved with the guidance of a capable leader who possesses the necessary vision and plans for our new nation. In addition, tribalism has caused social dysfunction and violence in South Sudan, fueled by tribal politics utilized by the SPLM political leaders since 2005. This poses a significant threat to national unity. Some have denied that tribalism is not a danger to our unity, but the truth is that if the ruling elites continue to exploit tribal politics for their gain, it could lead to the destruction and consequences in our society. It has the potential to tear our country apart and disrupt our social fabric and harmony. We have already witnessed the consequences of tribal politics in the 2013 conflict, which started as a political disagreement within the SPLM ruling party but escalated into ethnic violence.
South Sudan is a country with a rich diversity of ethnic groups. Our diversity is something we should be proud of and embrace. The true beauty of South Sudan lies in this diversity and the celebration of our different cultures. We should strive for a future where these unique cultural identities can coexist harmoniously and contribute to the growth of our nation, which stands as a giant of the Nile in the Horn of Africa. This should be the true essence of our beloved Republic of South Sudan. The regime of President Kiir and the Jieng Council of Elders (JCE), acting as the government policy design architect, played a significant role in the establishment of 32 states. This was a result of the SPLM ruling party taking control of Southern Sudan and forming a semi-autonomous government after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005. Unfortunately, the JCE has fostered political tribalism, influencing President Kiir’s government to pursue a tribal agenda, including land occupation in the Upper Nile state and Equatoria region.
Kiir has utilized tribalism to maintain his power, particularly by supporting the Dinka land occupation in the Equatoria region and Upper Nile state, specifically the Collo land on the east bank. This divisive approach has led to intercommunal violence, as witnessed in the Collo Kingdom in 2022, especially in the Upper Nile state. It is unfortunate that President Kiir, as a leader, chose to divide the people instead of uniting them to maintain power and wealth. President Kiir’s legacy will be marked by the creation of tribalism and division among the people of South Sudan based on ethnic lines. There was no need for the President to divide the citizens of South Sudan solely for his gain. Furthermore, President Kiir has gone against the original visions of the SPLM party and marginalized its cadres and members who believe in the party’s vision. His resentment towards the group known as Garang’s boys, dating back to their time in the struggle, has led to revenge and further division. Instead of holding onto past grievances, President Kiir should have embraced his role as a leader and worked towards uniting the people of South Sudan. His actions have only served to promote political tribalism within the republic.
Unfortunately, President Kiir has been working to dismantle the SPLM since the death of Dr. John Garang. He has also been working against the loyalty of SPLM members and supporters, disregarding the party’s vision. President Kiir seems to have a limited understanding of modern global and regional norms, where state actors engage in relations based on mutual interests. President Kiir has undermined the SPLM’s objectives and dismantled the original SPLA military, replacing it with tribal militants who engaged in ethnic cleansing against the Nuer tribe in Juba on December 15-16, 2013. However, due to his tribal leadership and lack of patriotism, he has chosen to seek revenge against those who differed from him during the struggle in the bush. For the past 19 years, President Kiir has ruled the country through presidential decrees and mismanagement, which has resulted in South Sudan becoming a failed state. Instead of reconciling with permanent SPLM members and cadres who held different views, especially the so-called Garang’s Boys, President Kiir has deepened divisions. Under his leadership, South Sudan has regrettably turned into a repressive police state, employing extrajudicial killings to silence opposition. He has transformed South Sudan into a police state, where the security personnel intimidate citizens. President Kiir has employed private armies and state security forces to suppress the population, resorting to extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances of individuals who have expressed their concerns. It is disheartening that civil servants and the military have not received their salaries for over 8 months.
South Sudan is at risk of being torn apart by tribal and political forces unless the people propose laws to be included in the future constitution. These laws should prohibit tribalism in any form and make it a punishable crime for anyone who practices tribalism in South Sudan. Dealing with tribalism is crucial for South Sudan as it lies at the heart of our country’s deep divisions, as witnessed in 2013. Political elites, particularly the SPLM leaders, have exploited political tribalism to gain power by dividing our citizens based on their tribes, often resulting in violence. On July 9, 2011, when the flag of the Republic of South Sudan was raised, it captured the imagination and hearts of all South Sudanese from different walks of life. It symbolized the achievement of independence for South Sudan. As citizens of this country, we came together to raise this flag, honoring our martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and liberty from 1821 to 2005. It is for the sake of this freedom, liberty, and equality that the people of South Sudan have made the ultimate sacrifice. Every citizen of South Sudan should be guaranteed their unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, similar to the ideals expressed in America’s Declaration of Independence.
Unfortunately, our current President Kiir has become a tribalist leader, despite being one of the freedom fighters who contributed to our cause of gaining freedom and liberty for all South Sudanese who were marginalized by the Khartoum regime. However, this is not meant to discredit President Kiir. We still respect and honor his contributions during the liberation struggle. Nevertheless, we cannot allow him to tear our country apart. It is disheartening to see President Kiir becoming a chief instigator of tribalism, which brings disgrace to our nation. The Jieng Council of Elders (JCE) has been attempting to establish a barbaric state system that favors President Kiir’s tribe at the expense of other tribes in the country. It is truly remarkable to think that South Sudanese from all walks of life have fought for over 40 years against oppression and marginalization under various regimes in Khartoum. The JCE and Kiir’s government now seek to impose the same unfair system in South Sudan that we opposed in the north. South Sudanese people have resisted Sudan’s oppressive system of marginalization, and we won’t let it take root in South Sudan. The JCE’s actions have fueled tribalism and violent political divisions in South Sudan, resulting in widespread inter-communal conflict. The JCE is using the government to advance its agenda, violently targeting and displacing non-Dinka tribes. Many South Sudanese, patriotic and from all walks of life, have fought and died for their nation. We accused South Sudan’s government, including the JCE and Kiir regime, of policies designed to displace non-Dinka people from their ancestral lands.
After gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, President Kiir should have worked towards uniting the people of South Sudan to build a new nation. President Kiir has plunged the country into a senseless war, using the pretext of the 1991 revenge killings against the Nuer tribe for the death of Dinka Bor. This has further escalated the violence, leading to the killing of the Nuer ethnic group in 2013. Our President is fully aware that the people of South Sudan, from all walks of life, have made ultimate sacrifices for the cause of freedom, justice, and equality. It is unacceptable for our President to divide the people of South Sudan based on ethnic lines, as we all fought for the freedom of our country. What the people of South Sudan want from our President is for him to peacefully relinquish power and pave the way for a peaceful transition without any bloodshed. Our people have been suffering for too long, especially given the economic challenges facing our country. Tribalism, known as Asha’iriyyah in Arabic, has been argued by many scholars to be useful in the absence of a state, promoting peace and coexistence between tribes. However, in modern society, tribalism is viewed as a detrimental illness that hinders peaceful coexistence among people. It has led to violence in many societies, including South Sudan. For instance, tribalism in South Sudan has been perpetuated by President Kiir and his JCE, contributing to the current conflict. Blind tribal allegiance is maintained to dominate power and wealth.
Since the SPLM came into power in 2005, tribalism has taken root in South Sudan, with President Kiir actively promoting political tribalism. He has used political tribalism as a means to consolidate power and marginalize non-Dinka groups. We must acknowledge and embrace a collective national identity in South Sudan; otherwise, we cannot speak of one nation and one people. Now, we are aware that the SPLM leadership has undergone an incredible strategic shift since our independence in 2011. As citizens of SS, we must uphold national unity and build a more equitable society that embraces our diverse ethnicities. Building South Sudan requires embracing our diversity and living together peacefully.
To address the issue of tribalism in South Sudan, we must strive for peace and stability within our nation. It requires a visionary and capable leader who can guide our country toward progress while preventing a resurgence of conflict. Rumors are currently circulating on social media that the Nairobi talks have unfortunately broken down, but this information remains unconfirmed officially. The people of South Sudan have been longing for lasting peace in South Sudan. This uncertainty arises from the sudden new demands made by the Juba government, which have resulted in a deadlock between the government and the opposition group. It is puzzling why the government did not raise these demands before signing the protocols in July with the opposition. This appears to be a deliberate strategy employed by the Juba regime to buy time and prolong its stay in power while the people of South Sudan continue to suffer. If we assume that the Nairobi talks have indeed failed, the important question to ask is: what comes next? Will the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) fulfill the remaining agreements from 2018 during the two-year extension until 2026?
The Juba regime is playing with the lives of the South Sudanese people and shows no concern for their suffering. It is baffling why the government did not raise these issues before signing the protocols in July. This behavior demonstrates that the Juba regime is playing games with the lives of the people, a well-known tactic used by those who spoil peace. Unless the Juba Government of National Unity shows political will and commitment to implement the critical pending tasks outlined in the 2018 Revitalized agreement before the two-year extension expires in 2026, the country will regress to its initial state of conflict, which will be unfortunate for the people of South Sudan who have suffered for far too long. Our goal is to build a peaceful country, a state that fairly represents the cultural heritage of all South Sudanese ethnic groups nationwide. We must prevent the marginalization of other ethnic groups in our society if we all truly belong here. Inclusiveness and fair representation are also crucial for the national government to overcome tribalism. South Sudanese politics has become deeply divided along ethnic lines, leading to inter-tribal oppression. Tribal divisions in South Sudan are exacerbated by illiteracy, but SPLM politicians have also fueled these divisions for political gain.
In conclusion, yes, South Sudan has the potential to overcome tribalism if its leaders prioritize and establish laws in the future constitution that explicitly prohibit tribalism and treat it as a punishable crime. Any individual found engaging in or practicing tribalism within government institutions will face legal consequences. Instead, they should focus on developing the Republic of South Sudan after gaining independence in 2011. To move forward, our country needs a visionary leader who can formulate plans for strengthening South Sudan. This includes building a diverse and representative military that prevents the dominance of any one ethnic group. South Sudan’s military should be an independent institution comprised of all 64 tribe’s ethnic groups and capable of meeting the challenges of the 21st century and protecting the citizens of South Sudan, preserving the country’s constitution, and defending its territorial integrity. It is important to ensure that the military remains an independent institution, free from the influence of corrupt political elites. Furthermore, the education system in South Sudan must strive for a high standard of quality that enables citizens to compete globally in science and technology. We aim to establish a state that is free from racial, tribal, nepotistic, and other forms of discrimination, where all our citizens will be treated equally and enjoy full equality. The people of South Sudan are in urgent need of a fair and enduring peace for our country to progress and achieve development. It is of utmost importance to attain peace in South Sudan, as without it, we will be unable to combat tribalism, illiteracy, poverty, and other obstacles that hinder our country’s growth. Therefore, peace is crucial for our advancement. South Sudanese possess a strong inclination towards hatred and destruction, which is why peace continues to elude the nation. As a proud citizen of South Sudan, I recognize our country as a sovereign entity comprised of diverse communities. Our society upholds the principles of freedom, equality, justice, and above all, humanity – values that our martyrs sacrificed their lives for, enabling us to enjoy the freedom and independence of our beloved nation. Therefore, it is our collective duty as citizens to safeguard our great country from the clutches of power-hungry tyrants, and to stand united against all adversaries.
The author, Jwothab Othow, is a citizen of South Sudan, an activist, and a critic of South Sudan’s authoritarian regime.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.