Dr. Lam is not a prodigal, but a vigilant son of RSS.
By. Dr. Peter Adwok Otto.
The opinion of Paan Luel Wel from Washington DC, on 11 October 2011 that was posted in Gurtong website, bearing sugar-coated skepticism with an aroma of ethnic hatred for Dr. Lam filtering through his analysis on the meeting of H.E. Salva Kiir the president of RSS and Dr. Lam Akol the chairman of SPLM-DC in Nairobi Kenya on 28/9/2011 is quite contestable in some parts, as it is full of hypothesizing, misinformation and instigative material posing political assassination on the personality of Dr. Lam. Thus it can never be reflected that the author is neutral offering a scientific scrutiny of the status quo as the political history of the SPLM-DC Chairman is at palisade.
The author’s first theory "Politics is usually more about pre-conceived perceptions, not facts;"
Is seemingly true in the third world, However, that "and there lie the downfall of Dr. Lam. It will take lot of effort and time to undo the damage, if ever it will be feasible", Is his own concoction to tally with his inner craving.
The author will benefit from this lecture if he is not opinionated about the supremacy of Dinka. South Sudan during the 1970s and early 1980s was known for unfailing democracy that was described as "Westminster Democracy" which saw the rise and fall of Abel Alier through the poles. Rise and fall General Lagu through the poles, rise and fall Thumbura through the poles. The elections in the south in the last century had no tribal tinge as the author emotionally wants us to belief. There is no Anti-Dinka or Anti-Nuer or things of the sort. There is anti-corruption, anti-mismanagement unlike the sentiments the author entertains. Therefore, there will never come a time when the whole Dinka tribe of the RSS shall rally behind their tribe man in an election, because in the corruption and the bad governance practiced, not all the Dinka are involved or will benefit from the spoils. But there are true sons and daughters of the south who are Dinka that will not condone corruption. This is true for all the tribes. This theory, it’s rightful place is the dustbin. But after all where does the author comes up with the idea of a small tribe? You think Collo is smaller than the Azande and Madi of RSS? It is the essence not the number that will matter. Your early elections propaganda would do well if it deploys tools other than tribal galvanization. One more reminder is, if the author never learnt about the faked April elections, it will be quite unfortunate as the whole world knows what happened.
The author relishes in chastening one of the people he can not matched "Moreover, in spite of his sharp mind, critics argue that Dr. Lam was a poor military strategist when he was posted to the frontlines He was almost captured by the Arabs when he was a zonal commander". The fact that he was not captured is a success story of military strategy, especially when your army is mainly composed of deserters and imprisoned soldiers. His capture would have embarrassed SPLA that he did not allow. The propaganda of enemies never worry strong leaders, rather the silence of friends do.
" Contrast that with Dr. Machar who, it is said, almost captured the current president of Sudan, Omar Bashir".
If Machar captured Omar El Bashir, it would have been a credit for the SPLM/A. One wonders why Machar did not?, Was he not a good military strategist? Wishful thinking never matter on the ground, idle people keep telling stories to gather people around them, without heeding real things in life.
Why don’t you conduct an opinion poll today and see the result. The fact is that most southerners stay in their ethnic confinements and can hardly know the opinion of others or intentionally sensor them. Many southerners contrary to the opinion of the author believe that the 1991 split in SPLM/A was a blessing in disguise for these reasons (1) It stopped the wanton killing of southern leaders in cold blood e.g. Benjamin Bol Akok, Martin Majer,Joseph,Malth,Joseph Oduho and the list goes on.(2) It brought democratic transformation to the SPLM crowned by first ever party convention in Chukudum in 1994. (3) It brought about the Self-determination into the political vocabulary in the Sudan and enshrined it in the constitution put to experiment by Khartoum-Fashoda peace agreements that became the pillars of Naivasha in 2005. Thus lamenting over the spilled milk never matters. But after all, split in liberation movements is a common place e.g. ANC in South, ZAPU in Zimbabwe, SWAPO vs SWANU in Namibia, FRELIMO vs COREMO in Mozambique, MPLA vs GRAE and UNITA in Angola, this makes split in south Sudan no different or special.
As for senior members defecting from SPLM-DC, there were people joining the SPLM-DC. by the time Eng. Charles defected(they were only 4), 17 people some members of SPLM Liberation Council defected to SPLM-DC. When Sandra B.Malual defected with tow others, Four joined SPLM-DC in Junglei State, it is the political dynamism which can not be controlled by any official in a party. However, each and every member will give reasons either true or false. Many parties in the south had splintered let alone the defections. The SPLM had split into SPLM-Torit and Nasir, SPLM and SPLM-DC, UDSF etc. But 347 had quit the SPLM and ran elections as independents. This is political dynamism which will only be combated with more and more democracy.
In conclusion, in this hustled confusion, we hue out a piece of hope for our new RSS. Thus coming together of the President of RSS with Dr.Lam Akol should be viewed affirmative not otherwise. For most skeptics, the drive is parochial interest.
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