Why Nhial Deng Nhial Has No Clear Path to the Presidency in South Sudan

By Malith Alier, Kalgoorlie, Australia

Monday, June 14, 2021 (PW) — Inside J1 hangs, a thin but powerful hangman-rope for politically inept individuals in the country. Those who don’t know about this are in peril of walking half-sleep to the survival gallows of the State House dubbed J1.

Many months ago, when the political sub-temperature was heating up, an elder stateman and a seasoned political and military operator uttered something we all were worried would cause something that may be interpreted as covetousness for the highest political seat in the land.

“We must give way to Nhial Deng Nhial and others to run the country as we have failed,” said the statesman. Coincidentally, or as reason to the above speculation, Nhial was ousted from minister in the office of the president and jetted overboard possibly to the UK where he usually takes refuge from awkward political happenings. 

Earlier, Nhial defended the chief who withoutreciprocity, kicked him out after under six months on the job. “The president is not imposing himself on the country,” he said in defence of his entitled boss.

Nhail Deng, the son of the famous Sothern Sudan freedom fighter, has been in and out of the government of Salva Kiir since 2005. He first was the minister for regional cooperation in the first government of Southern Sudan after the 2005 CPA. He resigned his position immediately and left for the UK when he felt that the government of the day usurped his duties and assigned them to another more deserving cabinet minister.

He later became minister of Defence after the plane crash that killed the incumbent minister along with another senior minister from his home area of Warrap state. Nhialbecame the minister of presidency after the “washing away” of Bhar El Ghazel Road after which the minister in that position was sacked for his role in the saga.

Nhial is considered a loyal and faithful dog who hardly barks but this faithfulness will not earn him any political points come rain or shine. Nhial has the history of his dad on his side. He has the name recognition among the equals, but this is where his own story ends!

Late John Garang attempts to use the son of the veteran Anya Nya leader, Deng Nhial, as a bridge to populous Bhar El Ghazel, lodged a wedge between him and his long-term deputy, Salva Kiir. 

Kiir in reaction to attempts to sideline him, bivouacked in Yei and threatened action against SPLM/SPLA Chairman. The rift was so bad and would have been catastrophic had it prevailed. Fortunately, it was bridged by people who did not want the movement to crumble further. The old comrades came back together but division festered.

Nhail was believed to be one of Garang Boys, GBs, as opposed to Kiir Boys, KBs. GBs are believed to have been orphaned by Garang’s demise. The unfortunate demise signalled that KBs were handed the flag after July 2005. As we speak the line has been blurred between the boys on either side. Bigger boys who were in Khartoum at the time the war was raging have now filled the void. GBs and KBs had been shoved to the periphery from the centre of politics. 

Nhial, despite years spent in the movement, has never entered the main club of the SPLM. He has no position in the Political Bureau and the lower National Liberation Council. Worst still, he has no political base in Warrap state thanks to his muffled political voice and British stowaway!

If there is a clear sign that the president is imposing himself on the country without vision, it is the aspect of not grooming and moulding future political leaders. 

Everything has a season and specified time to run its course. This is what King Solomon called “time for everything.” In South Sudan, people and even political parties are stuck in a dark tunnel. No growth is allowed to take place in the country until the egos of big people have overgrown. After this, the future will take care of us all without our input!

Nhial has no ability to open away where there is no way. He proved unwilling to learn and build on family history and articulate an alternative vision where humanity seemed to have lost course. 

For more than ten years in the political arena of South Sudan, he had never opened his mouth to encourage, praise or rebuke anyone. He had not called for political reforms or development as would be expected of a true statesman.

What is he good for? The jury is out and may never return a verdict! 

The author, Malith Alier, is a concerned South Sudanese Australian public intellectual and political commentator who can be reached via his email address: alierjokdeng@gmail.com

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