The 2024 Elections in South Sudan: What Will SPLM Leaders Do in Five Years After Failing the Country For 20 Years?
Emmanuel Ariech Deng
By Emmanuel Ariech Deng, Juba, South Sudan
Sunday, 01 October 2023 (PW) – In the shadow of the impending 2024 elections in South Sudan, the nation finds itself mired in an unprecedented state of disarray. The ragtag army and other organized forces require proper training and equipment, but unfortunately, they are often seen as unprofessional and not given the support they need. It’s not uncommon for them to be underpaid, which leads some to abandon their national service responsibilities. Additionally, many government institutions are not functioning properly and fail to carry out their designated duties. This includes the budget, which is often not spent as intended for both central and state government institutions. As a result, institutions are collapsing, and the Revitalized National Legislative Assembly has yet to address these critical national issues.
The state’s agencies responsible for generating revenue are plagued by systemic issues. The amount of income received from crude oil, gold, and other minerals is unknown and possibly privatized. Gold mines across the country are owned by elite-owned companies, making it difficult to determine if they are public or private. Despite this, these companies are operating and contributing to the growth of the economy. The National Revenue Authority collects taxes at all entry points, but it’s unclear where that money goes. Additionally, the country is required to pay off a substantial national loan from the Ministry of Finance & Planning.
Recently, it was reported that the President’s office is spending more money than the combined budgets of ten states and three administrative areas each month and year. This has created chaos among executives, legislators, army officials, and civil servants, with each group scrambling to get a piece of the national budget. The citizens are left helpless, watching their resources being misused by their supposed leaders. The abuse of power in the country has reached an unprecedented level, with no rule of law established since its inception in 2011. The international and regional community has been deceived on all fronts, including human rights, peace agreements, citizen security, and national financial accountability. The power abuse is unmatched and alarming.
However, there are a few institutions that still seem to be functioning in South Sudan, such as the office of the President, the Ministry of Finance & Planning, the Ministry of Petroleum, and NilePet. This is evident from the number of vehicles and people gathered around these offices. If you were to ask traditional clowns in suits about their knowledge of the government in Juba, they would likely mention three English terminologies related to specific institutions. These include Medical Claims and Systems for the Ministry of Finance & Planning, Crude and Cargo for the Ministry of Petroleum, and Downstream and Fuel Tanker Approval for Nile Petroleum Corporation (NilePet). A traditionalist could explain the meaning of these terms and how they are used to achieve goals that may not be easily attainable by those responsible for budget spending in these institutions.
As South Sudanese, we feel like we are at the mercy of a broken system of governance. This harsh reality has hit young people the hardest, with many losing their lives in power struggles, struggling to make ends meet amidst economic turmoil, and being prevented from pursuing their own businesses due to insecurity. We are also frustrated by the dysfunction of government institutions and the rampant corruption that is squandering our country’s resources. Despite all this, we have yet to see any significant progress or development.
The resources of a nation are intended for its progress, including key infrastructure like airports, hospitals, schools, roads, agriculture, national defence, prisons, banks, government offices, and commercial centres. Unfortunately, in the past 13 years, there has been little tangible progress. Juba seems to be developing only in terms of personal gains. Government projects are moving at a slow and inconsistent pace.
And now elections are declared. What will our leaders do in five years if they fail the country for 20 years? Is it reasonable to request that citizens commit an additional five years? What will be accomplished in that time that could not be achieved in 20 years? Can we trust that the upcoming election will be conducted freely and fairly? We were mistaken when we supported those who promised us a country based solely on its resources rather than its actual land and borders. Our ancestors who fought for our liberation never envisioned this outcome. Whether Dr. John Garang was deceived, or he deceived us is a perplexing question without a clear answer.
As South Sudanese citizens, we feel that we have been greatly deceived and taken advantage of. Our political leaders seem more focused on their own personal gain and power struggles, rather than prioritizing the development and growth of our nation. It is disheartening to see the very same injustices that were spoken out against in Sudan being repeated by these elites today and defended with such vigour. Given the current state of our economy and politics, it is difficult to see a bright future for our country.
There are political issues occurring in different regions of the Republic of South Sudan. In the north, there is currently a war, while in the west, there have been coups. In the east and south, there have been reports of election fraud. It is unclear which direction these regions will take moving forward. The country’s nationalism, regionalism, and internationalism have suffered and require urgent attention and reconstruction. Seeking revenge should not be a political motivation. Instead, accountability should be the focus.
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