Editorial: Public Feuds between Comrade Pagan Amum and Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol is Detrimental to SPLM Legacy
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PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd
Friday, 20 October 2023 (PW) — The ongoing public spat between two former stalwarts of the South Sudanese liberation struggle, Hon. Pagan Amum and Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol, underscores a growing problem within the nation’s political landscape. While their dispute may appear to be a personal matter, it is emblematic of a broader issue that threatens the very foundations of the South Sudanese nation, allowing opportunistic actors to seize power and perpetuate the cycle of discord.
“By Pagan Amum
I read a brooch with the book launch, in which Aruther Akuen makes that claim. This man is still insisting of giving me $30;000,000 into my personal account? That I received the funds in the party’s name through my personal account. Why would he deposit party funds in a personal account of another? You remember that I filed a case against him and the defunct Citizen Newspaper. He failed to prove or substantiate his claim that in the court and was asked to produce the account number he failed, when he was asked, who gave him the personal account number he said that he could not remember. The court established that the Ministry of Finance did transfer $48,000,000 to SPLM account of which I was not even a signatory. He was found liable was find SSP 3,000,000 as compensation for damages. Now that he has published this book I will take him to court in another Civil case together with his publisher. Besides he is contradicting himself with different versions. I ordered book from Amazon. This has nothing to do with his accusation of corruption and arrest for example. He is trying to cover by mixing apples and oranges. Poor Arthur.”
The struggle for independence from Sudan was marked by immense sacrifices and unity, with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/SPLA) leaders fighting together for a common cause. However, as South Sudan became an independent nation, a rift started to emerge among those who once stood shoulder to shoulder against a common enemy. This internal division has given rise to public figures and former SPLM/SPLA liberators airing their grievances in the public domain, which only serves to undermine the legacy of the liberation movement.
Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol’s recent book launch and the subsequent controversy surrounding it have shone a light on the troubling phenomenon of former comrades publicly accusing each other of misconduct and betrayal. While it is essential for transparency and accountability to be upheld, the airing of such disputes in the public sphere only weakens the nation and plays into the hands of opportunistic individuals who are ready to exploit the situation.
The most significant consequence of this public infighting is the potential for South Sudan to be infiltrated and taken over by those who do not share the values and principles of the liberation struggle. A prime example of this is the rise of individuals like Tutkew Gatluak, who, seemingly capitalizing on the discord among former SPLM leaders, managed to capture the presidency.
The accusations and counter-accusations of corruption, power abuse, and embezzlement flying between Hon. Pagan Amum and Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol not only tarnish the image of these once-respected figures but also distract the nation from addressing the critical issues at hand. South Sudan is grappling with myriad challenges, including economic instability, security concerns, and the need to build effective institutions. Yet, its former liberators are caught in a bitter feud that does little to solve these pressing issues.
The legacy of South Sudan’s struggle for independence and the vision of a prosperous and peaceful nation are now under threat. The revelations of internal investigations, as highlighted by the SPLM’s internal report on Cde. Pagan Amum, cast a shadow on the integrity of those who once stood as symbols of hope and resilience. These internal divisions weaken the fabric of the nation, making it susceptible to manipulation and external influence.
It is clear that the legal system should be the appropriate venue for resolving such disputes. Comrade Pagan Amum and Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol’s family’s willingness to take the matter to court is a welcome step. It offers an opportunity for due process, fairness, and justice to prevail, as it should in a democratic society. It is through the court system that these allegations can be examined, evidence presented, and a final verdict rendered.
Therefore, South Sudan finds itself at a critical juncture where internal disputes among former liberation leaders threaten to compromise the very essence of the nation’s struggle for freedom. It is imperative that those who once fought together for the common good now put aside personal grievances and work together to address the numerous challenges facing the nation.
The future of the SPLM and South Sudan depends on the unity, integrity, and statesmanship of its leaders. Public spats like the one between Hon. Pagan Amum and Hon. Arthur Akuien Chol only serve to weaken the SPLM further, playing into the hands of opportunistic outsiders like Tutkew and eroding the hard-won gains of the liberation movement.
The SPLM members in particular, and South Sudan in general, deserve better.
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