Two term limit in Arusha Agreement is the milestone in the SPLM history
4 min readBy David Aoloch Bion
January 24, 2015 (SSB) — Although the Arusha agreement is fullest of inconsistent, unworkable resolutions, the two term limits for the chairman of the SPLM party is the best milestone in the history of SPLM and here I quoted the draft ‘’The term limit for the SPLM National and State Chairpersons of the party shall be two terms of 5 years each only’’ This is the biggest step ever taken by the SPLM toward democracy . This will eliminate the spirit of impatience which is the root causes of the conflict in South Sudan.
Here, we shall know Mr . X has become the chairman of SPLM from this date to this date and we shall wait for his term to finish patiently . if he is popular he will rule for 10 years , if he is unpopular he will rule only for 5 years . Two term limit will allow 4 generations of SPLM cadres to rule in their life time . This idea of two term limit must also be enshrined in Constitution of Republic of South Sudan so if the president is popular he will rule for 10 years , he is unpopular he will rule for 5 years , this will be beginning of democracy and the end of conflict.. if he abuse his power , we shall hang him after his 10 years in office .
On the other hand , the Arusha Document is fullest of inconsistent , unworkable resolution , for example article 12 says ‘’Any individual SPLM member convicted by a competent court or tribunal of crimes against humanity, war crimes, crimes against peace or gross human rights violations and abuses during the crisis that erupted in the country since 15th December 2013 shall not be eligible to hold public office in the Party and the Governments ‘’ This is unworkable resolution because President Kiir and Riek Machar are convicted under the law which says you are guilty until you are proven innocent . All who committed so-called war crimes were acting at the orders of Kiir and Riek and I doubt both men will surrender themselves to the court with their popular support among their constituencies .
Again Article 16 says . ‘’SPLM commits to and supports the establishment of a comprehensive system of transitional justice, (the core elements of which are truth and reconciliation, criminal prosecution, reparations and institutional reforms), to look into the issues of atrocities, human rights violations and abuses in the country’’ This is also another contradictory , unworkable resolution, it is talking about truth and reconciliation and at the same time it is talking about criminal prosecution, these are incompatible.
You will have truth and reconciliation without criminal prosecution or you will have criminal prosecution without truth and reconciliation . it is always say ‘’war crimes are determined by the winners of war and war criminals are always losers in the war . in this conflict there are no losers , all are winners and therefore who will be prosecuted?’’
For example in Rwanda , it is only the defeated government members who were tried in Arusha , there is no single member of Rwanda Patriotic Front , who won war is tried in Arusha . In former Yugoslavia , only the members of defeated regime were tried . no single member of the West back government was tried in the Hague . in Germany , only members of defeated Hitler regime were tried in Nuremberg. .
How are you going to disarm President Kiir and put him on trial ? How are going to disarm Riek Machar and put him on trial ? How are you going to disarm those Generals like Marial , Gatdet and put them on trial ? these are all impossible !!!!!!!!!!!!!
The criminal prosecution will lead to another rebellion, mark my words. .
The Best solution is to give amnesty to all criminals.
–
The opinion expressed here is solely the view of the writer. The veracity of any claim made are the responsibility of the author, not PaanLuel Wël: South Sudanese Bloggers (SSB) website. If you want to submit an opinion article or news analysis, please email it to paanluel2011@gmail.com. SSB do reserve the right to edit material before publication. Please include your full name, email address and the country you are writing from.
About Post Author
