The reinstatement of Pagan Amum to Secretary General of the People Party SPLM!
By Juach Bul, Perth, Western Australia
June 25, 2015 (SSB) —- Comrade Pagan Amum was the former Secretary General of the South Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM). He has been accused of pilfering SPLM party money and also as being a coup plotter. Pagan Amum was reinstated back to his previous position as Secretary General in accordance with the Arusha agreement to end the nineteen-month-conflict.
I’m oppose this reinstatement, as the decision was made without lucid clarification to public proving that he will work in favour of the system, not his political ego. It would be best if Comrade Pagan Amum came out and reassured the nation that he will be honest and defend the constitution. This would work towards keeping peace, as the ongoing conflict started amongst SPLM leaders, including himself.
As this has not happened, it suggests the government is keen to support the same politicians responsible for instigating the ongoing conflict. It would be astute to bring peace first prior to reinstating those who call President Kiir an inept and visionless leader. Perhaps reinstatement of these SPLM leaders will result in the betrayal of president Kiir and his government
Related to this, many people might question why someone such as Pagan Amum is reinstated back to the party while other elites are left out. What’s behind his reinstatement? If President Kiir was being rational Riek Machar would have been reinstated back to his position, as would other former political leaders from the SPLM.
The people of South Sudan want to know why individuals who killed innocent people are being reinstated back into political positions without publically apologizing and being held to account. Who is going to be held accountable for the innocent Nuer killed in Juba? And likewise, who is going to be held accountable for innocent Dinka killed in Bor and other UN camps by Nuer?
We the people have power to question the government as to why criminals in power have not been brought to justice. We have power to highlight mistakes by the government because democracy means people power. This means we, the people of South Sudan, have a right to question why the government and Opposition are still fighting when former SPLM leaders are returning back to Juba without accountability. This lack of justice means that those involved in the fight for political attentiveness between the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the White Army are blindfolded and dying in vain.
I know we are all desperate for peace, but it cannot come this way. Peace without justice is not genuine peace. Peace without South Sudanese people knowing why their children were killed isn’t real peace. As one amongst millions of South Sudanese affected by this senseless war, I disagree with the reinstatement of Pagan Amum without questioning what he will do differently from betraying and dehumanising President Kiir and his government.
I may have concurred if President Kiir implemented the Arusha Agreement by bringing all former SPLM leaders back to the party, and promptly ended the conflict. Allowing one individual to such a political position like this is corrupt and not appropriate. What Pagan Amum has done that makes him deserve this reinstatement?
Juach Garang Bul is a concerned South Sudanese living in Perth, Western Australia (Australia). He can be reached at his personal email for any inquiry at juach111@hotmail.com
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