Does Bahr El Ghazal Need Benjamin Bol Mel’s Political Positions or Road Projects? A Refutation to Gen. Akot Lual Areech
Akot Lual Areech
By Marial Mangar Akol, Aweil, South Sudan
Sunday, 05 May 2024 (PW) — On April 30th, 2024, Brig. Gen. Akot Lual Areech penned an ambiguous letter to national and patriotic South Sudanese, urging Hon. Benjamin Bol Mel to relinquish several positions of power and influence. These include being Senior Presidential Advisor on Special Projects, Lieutenant General in National Security, a member of the Political Bureau, a member of the South Sudan Liberation Council, and the SPLM Deputy Secretary-General for Mobilization.
In his letter, Gen. Akot outlined three main points. Firstly, he accused Hon. Bol of amassing excessive political, economic, and potentially military power. Secondly, he blamed Bol for the country’s unprecedented economic challenges, citing mismanagement of resources and poor political decisions. Lastly, Akot leveled these accusations solely at Bol Mel, as his letter suggested.
Dear readers, while I respect Gen. Akot’s freedom of speech, his letter prompts a refutation. It was not only ambiguous but also conspiratorial, as members of the SPLM Politico-Bureau, generals in the SSPDF, are routinely assigned to serve the country in various capacities, including holding party positions. Singling out Hon. Bol on this basis alone seems like a veiled conspiracy.
Furthermore, the management of our resources and political decisions lies with the RTGoNU’s leadership, not solely with Hon. Bol. Dr. Wani chairs the powerful Economic Cluster, while the Ministry of Finance is under the SPLM’s control. Political decisions are taken collectively by the Presidency and the ruling party. Any challenges faced should be attributed to the collective leadership, not one individual.
Hon. Benjamin Bol’s roles stem from his proximity to the President, which has historically fueled envy and opposition. Before his appointments, many SPLA/M veterans and followers accused President Kiir of favoring “Bashir’s boys” over his colleagues. This sentiment now extends to Hon. Bol.
Gen. Akot’s call for Hon. Benjamin’s resignation is unhealthy for two reasons. Firstly, it is politically motivated, coming from an active military general seeking the President’s favor, rather than a legislative assembly or concerned citizen. Secondly, Hon. Benjamin oversees ARC, the company contracted to construct the crucial Juba-Bahr El Ghazal road, a national project aimed at facilitating transportation and business. His resignation could jeopardize this vital infrastructure project, which the President has launched four times already.
South Sudan, at 13 years old, should prioritize service delivery and dispelling the notion that we fought for leadership positions alone. Frequent leadership changes since 2013 have only led to economic deterioration and underperformance, not progress. The country’s political decisions and economic policies are collective responsibilities, not those of a single advisor.
In conclusion, I urge Gen. Akot to reconsider his ill-fated call, as it serves no better purpose. I also appeal to President Kiir to disregard such pressure from his inner circle, as the country needs the Juba-Wau Road completed by 2025. As a concerned citizen, I believe prioritizing development over power struggles is the way forward.
The writer is a concerned citizen who wants to see the Bahr El Ghazal Road reach Aweil in 2025 and can be reached at mmangar55@gmail.com.
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