The SPLM is about to Settle on Cool Ground
3 min read“If found unorganised they’ll buy you,” said Salva Kiir Mayardit
By Malith Alier, Juba, South Sudan
November 29, 2015 (SSB) — This author believes that the so-called Arusha accord of 2014 is neither Quran nor Bible. It can be set aside as circumstances change. See my previous article on this website.
The SPLM in Juba got organised by appointing Deputy Secretary General and other secretaries and advisors. It has also announced that it will hold extraordinary convention in the first week of December 2015.
On the other hand, the SPLM/SPLA IO appointed its Secretary General Dr. Dhieu Mathok for the first time in more than twenty months according to sudantribune.com of 27th instant.
The IO, as a separate institution is well aware that if it comes to Juba unorganised, it might as well be bought by the better organised and well-resourced peace partner. For this reason, it seems that is why it is buying time to get organised under the pretext of new conditions emerging on the side of the government.
It cites the creation of 28 states as one of the new conditions emerging after Compromise Peace Agreement (CPA). The issue of the 28 states will not be reversed. It is an idea whose time has come and nobody has the stomach to reverse it come what may. With the 28 states, the IO has no choice but to come and join the government to form Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU).
The good news to the people of South Sudan is that the SPLM in its various factions will never be reunited in full. Factions like the SPLM Leaders or Former Detainees (FDs) have no great power and influence. At the moment it is like a pendulum between the powerful factions.
The Arusha accord was good on a couple of clauses; apology to the people of South Sudan and 2 term limit for the party officials.
The accord compels the reunited SPLM to apologise to the people of South Sudan for it was the SPLM that ignited the war and caused the suffering of the people of this nation. The 2 term limit is foremost a party affair though it may be incorporated into the permanent constitution later on.
The SPLM can do both without necessarily reunited. The agreed reunification was going to be on expense of democracy. However, the routes the factions have taken will settle matters on cool ground and firmly in full democracy.
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