SPLM Reunification: The only solution to the perennial crisis in South Sudan
6 min readBy Madit Them Arop, Juba, South Sudan
July 29, 2016 (SSB) — The Republic of South Sudan is a nation known for its civil wars. Others may say tribal differences, still more, power greed struggle, and far beyond, ignorance of law and order. Factors make it difficult for South Sudan to coexist are many. But given the current situation and the move attempted by the government of national unity or transitional government, one may find that the South Sudanese problems are minor in their own views because they are capable to handle them.
They become larger and dangerous in the views of friends who reasons in their ways. This choice is a step toward peaceful ends which friends and oppositions for this country may take with urgency of acceptance.
A brother with a brother involved in a situation which led to a circumstantial disagreement and they have now consoled and found it unnecessary to have disagreed in the first place, and decided to open window of brotherhood again, and even if the third party was called in to help put their misunderstandings under control, which was forced on them, different terms were used and time was set which created long procedures to arrive at healing bay.
And the same brothers felt that it is necessary to approach their differences in a more brotherly way, while appreciating and keeping the third party terms within their approaches, would such approach be engaged as violation of agreement or it would be embraced, appreciated, and help them condone the decision? In most of South Sudanese views, they say: enough is enough, the road leading to silencing of guns is the best and peaceful road to and for all of us. And it is this road the current government is following.
Our friends are doing the opposite. It seems that their position is: you have disagreed, you have involved us, you have taken our minds and efforts into your affairs and therefore, anything you do without our consent is unnecessary.
Where do these friends get violation of agreement when the parties in agreement have sat, agreed, and announced what fit best for them. The parties even went ahead of the game, admitted that, instead we tether the agreement around one person, who happen to be absence for a number of uncalled for days, it is better to keep putting house in order, when this person come would find the desk cleaned, prepared and lively.
In other words, the parties then in conflict have considered the disagreement brought the nation this far in crisis as their own making, the agreement reached as theirs, and therefore, they are the solution. Thus, the South Sudan leadership is longing for time to settle it affairs.
But then again, glancing at the new arrangement fetched in CDR Taban Deng Gai as FVP of South Sudan, is an applauded step. It is applauded in a number of ways. First, with H.E. Taban as FVP at this critical movement would predictably strengthen the relations within the leadership of IO as well as within the leadership of the transitional government as a whole. How? Trust pays! A trust known is a trust shared. In his inaugural speech, he healthily fired up that as FVP he considers president as president for the Republic of South Sudan rather than being a partner in an agreement.
We have one president in one nation and therefore we should have one army. The law and order units must be integrated; the security should be one, economy must improve; humanitarian, though not agriculturalist by profession but taught by chance, the mass should make cultivation a priority. Remarkably delivered and genuinely hammered!
Second, Taban’s leadership would be different. Again referring to his speech, any peace lover is convinced that he is at the right side of a start. Bringing out stranded citizens in the POCs is a major concern wish to happen. Such that these citizens go to respective homes, get settle and feel pride of ease again. Their health conditions deteriorates due to crowdedness, a situation a change person like Taban is restlessly coming to breath in hopes into their lives after a very long time of sufferings.
Third, Taban tiptoeing approaches will unify the nation. Without resilient, it’s a sign of reunification to the ravaged nation. And for this, the VP Wani, the president, and the suffered general populace have welcomed the appointment without reservations and doubts. As boldly as is, the decision had added energy of embracement, weeded-out the “otherness,” opted for citizenry coexistence. From patriotic perspective, it is about lives saving to the scattered South Sudanese in the jaws of civil wars.
And it is factually important to assure citizens with different views to understand the situation South Sudan as a nation have sailed from end to end, bled for sometimes both economically and politically. It’s imperative as well to note that it diplomatic podium whether regionally or internationally is frustrated with waves of complicated packs of interests. Still, the nation is firm, almost all is needed is to give change a chance, while assuring friends to consider sovereignty of this nation.
Lastly, and again, the decision is reserved as bold. Why? It is taken out of the very agreement gave birth to Transitional Government. The same agreement is being followed, and it was demonstrated when VP assured regional, international blocs and nation’s citizens, when he leashed them to article 6-4 in the agreement, which states:
In the event that the post of the First Vice President falls vacant during the Transitional period, for any reason, including mental infirmity or physical incapacity of the office holder, the replacement shall be nominated by the top leadership body of the South Sudan Armed Opposition as at the signing of this Agreement. Such a process of replacement shall not exceed forty eight (48) hours. The successor as the First Vice President shall serve in Office until the end of the Transitional Period…p.9).
In accordance to this article, decision affirmed its purpose. And therefore, CDe Taban is the “right” person for the job, VP stressed; the decision taken is not “illegal”; it’s for fulfilment of the August Agreement signed in 2015, it was not brought out of the blue. Mr. VP strongly gave example to rest his point with this: you can’t mourn for the lost goat while leaving other 99 in disarray. Well pointedly, mourning and future of a nation are independently inseparable; both must be cared for, so it’s healthy to move on.
Above in all, absenteeism of the former FVP can’t hold nation hostage. The CPA was implemented after untimely death of Dr. Garang. That implementation birthed to South Sudan thru 2011 Referendum Exercise. So the vote of confidence in this decision shown wealth of hope, bloodsheds from SPLM when in disagreements is calculatedly being tried to seal through implementation of August Agreement and more convincingly, through Arusha SPLM Reunification.
At this hour, it is safe, judgmental for SPLM to put low energy on anything else and go for quick recoverable solution to South Sudan Political Crisis: the SPLM Reunification. When the SPLM united guns would go silence, interest groups will disperse, intruders will have time off, and bridge of trust will get cemented, get stronger and will remain unshaken. One Army, one integrated unit, one president makes one South Sudan. Long Live Unified South Sudan!
The author is reachable at aropmadit@gmail.com
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