The Exaggerated Political Strength of the G-10
5 min readBy Philip Thon Aleu, Juba, South Sudan
April 30, 2015 (SSB) —- The former detained politicians, known as G10, continue to assume huge political capabilities than they deserve – a year since they were released and dashed into exile. The group, with former SPLM Secretary General Pagan Amum as a de-facto leader, has been traversing world cities to showcase their political influence in South Sudan.
Like marauding cattle raiders, they have been positioning themselves as better alternatives to lead South Sudan – even at the expenses of our country sovereignty by suggesting UN Trusteeship which would cost the dignity of our people. Their reasoning is based on having not taken side in this “senseless war” – the two words all the parties to the conflict and FPD [Former Political Detainees] group insert in every speech.
Many articles have been written before and this one once again attempts to dissuade the supporters for the continued false hopes. The G10 are absolutely not better than President Salva Kiir and rebel leader Riek Machar.
The strength of a politician is tied to his or her position in the government or army. After being relieved in the government famous reshuffle in July 2013, the influences of former ministers like Gen. Gier Chuang Aluong, John Luk, Gen. Oyai Deng, Kosti Manibe, Dr. Majak D’Agot and others had reached near dead-end. As for Pagan Amum, his dismissal from SPLM most influential post was the end of his political strength. Other members of G10 had their chances of influencing our country’s politics reserved in the SPLM party.
Unfortunately after being arrested at the outbreak of war in December 2013 and consequently released following intensive diplomatic pressure on the government, the G10 missed another chance by leaving the citizens behind to die in this “senseless war.”
The G10 opted to go on lobbying missions to London, Washington D.C, New York, Oslo etc in a true reflection of their political bankruptcy in the country.
Nobody would dare to deny that the G10, like other SPLM leaders, contributed tremendously to the liberation of our country. They did not die in the war because God saved them for a purpose. But equally true of them, including the SPLM in Government, the SPLM in Opposition, they contributed to the mess this country is witnessing today by ignoring core needs of the citizens and instead invest their energies to power struggle for political power only.
One is always puzzled when the supporters of G10 claim that they are saints in the mess of this country. They are not. Take each of them and examine the portfolio held before December 2013 to 2005. You will realize that each of them had a chance to change the course of this country by delivering real services and avert further suffering to the citizens. They did not. If they are the ‘messiah’ for South Sudanese, what would make one to believe those claims?
The assertion that G10 is a group of qualified South Sudanese nationalist is completely inadequate because their actions while in offices are not different from any group. There is nothing that differentiate them with any South Sudanese politician in Juba, Addis Ababa, Nairobi or in the bush with Riek Machar.
There is only one seat for the presidency in our country and there are many positions to serve the people. Did the president stop Pagan Amum from building SPLM offices? Did the president stop John Luk Jok from writing a people’s transitional constitution? Did the president stop Dr. Majak D’Agot from paying soldiers on time and have them properly nationalized?
The only person among the G10 who tried his best is former interior minister Gen. Gier Chuang Aluong who stabilize Juba’s neighborhoods. But again, that does not stop there. One has to go down a little more and ensure that the police is not an enemy to the civilians.
Placing a false hope on the G10 is completely unfortunate. The only chance that waits them is a return to the country, even if that means risking their own security. Come home to engage in civil sensitization for better South Sudan. If the SPLM is rigid to reform, then form your party like Gen. Buhari of Nigeria and you never know, things would tilt in your favor because this country will continue to exist as long as the world does. SPLM gave birth to South Sudan but SPLM is not the South Sudan state.
So holing up in Kampala or Nairobi or wherever would only means that the G10 want South Sudan to ‘nurture through dews.’ Or ‘luok ee theec’ in Dinka dialect. That is impractical and my opinion that your influence is being exaggerated will continue to hold some waters.
If it is not a self-interested grouping, then G10 is capable to exist as a body and do better politically, non-violently. Failure to do exactly that would translate into the G10 portraying an incorrect image to South Sudanese.
© Philip Thon Aleu, 2015
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