Who are the Disgruntled SPLM Members and What’s their Agenda?
4 min readBy Dut Deng
Who are the Disgruntled SPLM Members and what’s their Agenda? Well leading them is Dr. Machar, he is a former VP to Kiir, accuses Kiir & his Gov’t of corruption, tribalism, loss of vision and direction, surrendering the party to NCP loyalist among others. Facts: Dr. Machar is eyeing Kiir’s seat ( Presidency) which he has right to as a citizen and an accomplished leader.He has co-led the SPLM/GOSS with Kiir for 95% of the time during all the major scandals we know,corruption, he has co-led the SPLM into loss of direction with Kiir given his position as VP and the First deputy of the Party. basically with these facts, He has been ineffective as Kiir himself over this period.
Madam Rebecca is a member of Politburo, formerly the Minister of roads and Bridges and currently a Presidential advisor on gender, she is a presidential aspirant comes the next election. she accuses the party of not following the vision of Dr. Garang de Mabior the Former SPLM leader and a statesman, she accuses Kiir Gov’t of which she belongs of corruption among others Facts: she is driven by her interest in the Presidency, she claims to know well the Vision of Dr. Garang having been the closest person to him. she is banking on the popularity of the former SPLM leader for her ride to the highest office in the land.
Pagan Amum Okiech is the immediate former SPLM secretary General, he is a fire spitting politician who represented the South loud and clear during the CPA period with Khartoum. Pagan fell out with his chairman this year owing to differences in running the party and his statement over the sacking of his friend Deng Alor and Kosti Manibe. he claims the SPLM has lost direction and vision under Kiir despite being its secretary general and therefore in charge of its everyday operations. Facts: Pagan is eyeing for Presidency and sees Kiir as being ineffective politician in leading the country.
Deng Alor Kuol, He is the former Minister of cabinet affairs, has no interest in the presidency. He was sacked by Kiir for corrupt practice . in the wiring of about 8 Million USD for procurement of fire-proof safes that were not supplied. he is believed to be looking for a bargaining chip by appearing as a threat to Kiir’s voting block of Warrap. so that he can be able to launch a comeback to the cabinet.
Dr. Majak is formerly an ally of Kiir, held the National security and deputy Minister of defence dockets until the last reshuffle. has not be so vocal against Kiir, he is believed to have been edged out in Kiir’s closest circle by those of Telar and other power brokers. has not expressed interest in the presidency. Perhaps he is the only person who could tell the real issue affecting his party since he is not pushed by desire for Power like all the above members.
Alfred Lado Gore was a minister until reshuffled, has not been very vocal . probably joining this group on grounds of his sacking. Formerly a member of the bush days SPLM progressive officers, who represented the young and educated officers, he is not eyeing the presidency. he fits in the group of Alor who is looking for a bargaining chip for re-entrance into the cabinet. am sure there are other groups/members who could belong here but not captured here. Weather the group is strong enough to give Kiir a run for his money remains to be seen. but the truth is since most of them are eyeing for the top seat. Their unity and purpose as concerns the leadership of the country remains to be seen.
I stand for a peaceful competitive politics and as a nation, we should judge leaders on their ability to deliver the service to the people of South Sudan. it should not just be criticism, the country needs better options to move it forward. Lets therefore wait and see who will present better policies centred on service delivery to the People of South Sudan, the Disgruntled or the Kiir’s group.
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