Critical Appraisal of the Transitional Government of National Unity
By Malith Alier, Juba, South Sudan
June 2, 2016 (SSB) — The long awaited formation of Transitional Government of National Unity (TGoNU) has come to pass. It is a critical step among many required by the Compromise Peace Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (ARCISS) signed on the 17th and 26th August 2015 by Dr. Riek and President Kiir respectively.
The selection of ministerial portfolios was a compromise by itself. Had it been done according to lottery style set out in the agreement itself, it would have face insurmountable obstacles. The Joint Monitoring and Evaluation Commission tasked to monitor and oversee the implementation of the agreement later praised the parties for the achievement.
The current Ministers of the TGoNU may be divided into three categories but not merely based on the peace partners’ positions. The categories are: staunch backers of the regime, the rouble rousers and the reformists.
The staunch backers of the regime are solely found in the President’s camp. They’re heading the allocated sixteen Ministries. This camp is made up of the SPLM party stalwarts and is the backbone of the regime and will not stop at anything which touches the system in a negative way. They are a buttress forces against regime change. This group over the past years beginning from 2011 frustrated opposing views in the government. It supported the 2011 Constitution which was observed to have given too much power to the head of state. They also resisted calls for appropriate system of government other than decentralisation. The voices calling for federalism as opposed to decentralisation were muzzled at initio.
The rouble rousers group is mainly the SPLM/A In Opposition camp. It is headed by the First Vice President himself. This group agitated for reforms prior to 2013 debacle. The reform agenda grew louder after defenestration of group’s leaders from the government in July that year. Now that the group is in Juba after two and half years in political wilderness it remains to be seen whether it will continue to agitate for reforms or be silenced or arm-twisted in to submission by the powerful regime backers. The public was sceptical of their position because they’re part of the system and could not extricate themselves from the rot. Had they been politically astute enough, they would have resigned from government enmass. They simply were labelled as disgruntled former officials of the government who were serving their own interest.
The true reformists are few and far in between. In this group is the Minister of Federal Affairs, Dr. Richard K Mulla who happened to be a Member of Parliament representing a constituency in Maridi. He run as an independent candidate who defeated the SPLM backed Costi Manibe.
Richard Mulla struggled on numerous occasions to force National Legislative Assembly to comply with its rules over many years since 2010 elections. He failed to succeed and ended up following the Riek rebellion into Ethiopia. Richard was also tipped to become a Speaker of National Legislative Assembly who must hail from Equatoria as per the agreement. This is not possible now as he is appointed Minister in the executive.
On both sides are those who were at the epicentre of violence before, during and after 2013 rebellion. This last group constitutes individuals directly linked to violence and rights abuses. No one really understands reasons for their appointment to public offices in this TGoNU. These individuals are potential candidates for the Hybrid Court for South Sudan (HCSS). It is a matter of time before they may be hauled to the court as soon as the HCSS is formed.
Anything positive that may come out of TGoNU after 24 months?
Well, it depends on who makes the assessment and on which side of the argument they hailed from. Many of the ordinary citizens welcome the formation of the TGoNU as a first step to stopping bloodshed. Innocent folks suffered a great deal during the 20 months devastating conflict. This is the main desire of ordinary citizens. The reforms that may or may not follow are a long term undertaking for the betterment of the country. Many people have already expressed scepticism over the recycling of the old buttress claiming that it was this bunch of politicians who took the country to the edge. That there is nothing new left in them to take the country forward. And that new faces were required to propel the country to the next level.
What these thinkers seem to ignore is the range of experience that these folk may unleash in light of the peace agreement. If adhered to, the CPA provides a guide to a better statehood. The regional mediators had the interest of this country at heart and therefore, they designed CPA in such away to give peace a chance but also to move away the centres of power from opposing protagonists. People should be the winners because of the CPA. The civil war victims should be compensated. Leaders who brought this disaster to the country should face the law in the courts. Institutions of governance should be reformed. Under the CPA, the disastrous SPLM factions may never reunify.
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