By Ater Garang Ariath, Aweil, South Sudan
Friday, 22 July 2022 (PW) — One of my cardinal rules in politics is to always avail myself of unsolicited political advice to the leadership and South Sudan as a country at large. In this movement of supreme political and economic crisis, we must build consensus as South Sudanese people and support the leadership for the implementation of the revitalized peace agreements and eschew discussions about our local politics, where parties understandably differ. Instead, focus on something that unites us. Government officials should not waste their time talking about issues of political gossip and rumour-mongering among their local population or in the cabinet.
I am going to make this my honest observation and not from an oppositionist point of view. As an activist, I am abiding by my own template; to develop an action guide for advocacy and political participation that highlights the experience and voices of South Sudanese citizens nationwide. It is guided by a commitment to human rights and justice for all, which reflects a political consciousness, understanding of power and inequity in social, political and economic systems, relations, and values.
As per this piece of writing, my angst and reference point is about a certain group termed by the silent majority of South Sudanese as “Juba big cartels”, a group which in recent days declared a full-swing war on the Minister of Finance and Planning, Hon. Agak Achuil Lual, upon refusal, to listen to their nefarious, cheap, and docile politics. I have a plethora of information regarding their activities, but it is not good for leadership to allow this group of cartels to prey upon potential leaders whom citizens trust. For sure, if allegations we have at tea places find their safety net to be fulfilled somewhere at any time. South Sudanese corruption is indeed incurable and endless fight ever to be abated by this generation of our time.
The conspiracy masterminded by this group will not stop oppressing potential political leaders until they perform the intents of their hearts, which God prohibit! South Sudanese are keenly watching their steps and those who provide them sanctuary; sooner than later, their names will appear in the book of names and shame. In street language, they are hatred and instability planters among South Sudanese people. Though regarded by their sycophants as the elite of this nation, their time zone is almost elapsed.
Of course, it will be difficult to eliminate them, but we cannot allow SPLM potential cadres to be humiliated on our watch, and that will return as a double-edged sword against us. The ongoing widespread rumours of Juba cartels and their tawdry politicians flexing their muscles to remove the Minister of Finance and Planning cannot be ignored at whims. This is a time for South Sudan leadership and its economic policymakers to remain on alert because this country will not and will never remain hostage to a powerful interest group driven by Mega Corporation to get quick riches.
These latest rumours of sponsored lobby chorus for removal Cde. Agak Achuil Lual, Minister of Finance and Planning, call for courage for South Sudanese to thwart the attempts. This move, if it happens, will set unprecedented tendencies and jeopardize economic influential steps initiated by the incumbent Minister of Finance and Planning, which needs the wisdom of old age to whisper into the ears of powerful decision-makers. Honestly, our President Salva Kiir Mayardit has been in government for long enough to know what is best at this crucial time, although it may be the writing on the wall if cartels succeed in a resounding victory against Finance Minister.
This time around, we must open the bean and have the courage to name the cartels that rule the roost because the country’s economy will not be solely placed in the hands of tawdry politicians and cartels that we see as paper tigers. Far and far, mealy-mouthed cartels are more powerful than they appointed officials if they succeed in cutting the oxygen of our beloved truth-teller Minister, who recently spoke on hidden secrets for years. An unnecessary reshuffle of the Finance Minister will add to the already troubles of the inflation-stricken South Sudanese people, who prefer truth to lies. On an equal note, SPLM leadership must fence their capable cadre from big cartels’ harassment and intimidation, which is uncalled for.
All SPLM cadres, whether in government or outside the government, should report any incident to the SPLM house because it is our storehouse of ideas, where we meet to share our issues and shape them for running a better party, nation, and government to the same time. We must visit SPLM house regularly not for backbiting others but to explore many avenues of how the party must fight for its survival in hundred years ahead. Why have cartels monopolized our political landscape? This is a fresh controversy, and we must keep our eyes on the alleged move against Finance Minister, where we will conclude it to be an open and shut case. The Minister indeed seems to be a mudslinging target of this group-approved campaign at the hands of those hell-bent on pushing the line for openly speaking the truth. Albeit such malicious act is unacceptable and must be condemned in strong terms possible.
The leadership is to ignore any possible action as per this incident because we cannot bury our heads in the sand in this controversial matter. Now it is a sword hanging over any and every politico’s head. The neutrality of neutrality must be put aside, and South Sudanese must stand firm with Hon. Minister Agak Achuil Lual should be encouraged to eliminate politics of fear and do the right things for the interest of the nation and its suffering population. The recent release of accumulated civil servants’ arrears and former-constitutional post holder’s benefits of defunct thirty-two states are great steps forward, which are deemed recognition. The cartels might just do their usual tricks to fight tooth and knee, but the power of numbers will defeat them.
In conclusion, this country will be peaceful and free from peril if cartels are barred from influencing politics because their interest is to purge those who show them transparency and best governmental practices within the system. This action has a dangerous precedent, and we don’t turn another cheek again. This is an explosive situation in that we call on the national government and its political forces to intervene. We must guard against this unprincipled group of cartels as government, whether sought or unsought. It is the responsibility of the responsible government to ensure equilibrium in its operation. Finally, I wish the best to Hon. Agak Achuil Lual and those who will labour with him to rescue our economy from collapsing in the hands of Juba big cartels that control black markets on all fronts.
May God bless South Sudan.
The author, Ater Garang Ariath, is a South Sudanese journalist and former Secretary General of the defunct Aweil East State Government, and you can reach him at email: atergarang452@gmail.com.
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