![South Sudan president Salva Kiir speaks at a National Liberation Council meeting in the country’s capital, Juba, a few days before the incident. [Photo by Samir Bol/AFP/Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.sudanspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/ezgif.com-gif-maker.jpg?ssl=1)
The assertion that the SPLM needs revival, not stagnation, resonates deeply with the party’s ongoing political and moral decline. The current consensus among many political observers, members of civil society, and even some party insiders is that the party has lost its moral and political compasses and has only become a theatre for power struggles, instead of being a catalyst for national progress.
South Sudan is a nation-state endowed with abundant natural resources and a resilient populace. Yet, it is currently standing at a crossroads between stagnation and reinvention. The status quo is not merely disappointing; it is a profound dereliction of the very mandate that brought the SPLM to power. For this reason, a radical, comprehensive blueprint for revival is not a political luxury, neither is it a moral impress; it is an existential necessity for both the SPLM and the people of South Sudan.
The original mandate
The SPLM was forged in a crucible time of the brutal civil war that lasted for two decades. Operating on a platform of justice, equality, and self-determination, the SPLM won the hearts and souls of all the marginalized groups, making it a beacon of hope and elasticity.
Its raison d’être was to dismantle the “Old Sudan” of oppression and religious intolerance, and replace it with a democratic, inclusive, and prosperous “New Sudan” in which all people, irrespective of their race, religion, ethnicity or gender, are equal stakeholders in governance. This vision unified millions of the oppressed. Yet, the SPLM’s transition from a liberation movement with a wartime mentality to a sophisticated ruling party with a well-articulated political ideology has proven a slippery slope, culminating in an ongoing national crisis.
The ideals that once defined the movement—sacrifice, unity, service and integrity—have extinct in the searing heat of absolute power and the intoxicating lure of wealth. The current state of affairs is nothing but a far cry from the vision long been cherished by the countless martyrs. We are nowadays inhabiting a country where public service has been replaced with self-service, accountability is anathema, and transparency is a foreign concept.
The pervasive corruption—from the grassroots up to the highest level of government—has become an open secret, a cancer eating away at the very fabric of the nation. Reports of billions of dollars in oil revenue vanishing into private accounts while doctors and teachers operate without basic supplies serve as a damning indictment of the SPLM’s moral decay and ideological shortfall.
When foundational party figures publicly decry, or completely defect to form new rebel movements or political parties on the allegation that the SPLM has “betrayed the nation’s founding ideals,” it is a deafening alarm bell that the party must listen to carefully. Let’s face it! The SPLM is stagnating due to the interests of a selected few—the old guard—over the welfare of the citizenry. This moral decay and political insolvency must be addressed first and foremost.
Five pillars of comprehensive revival
Reviving the SPLM is not all about smearing a few band-aids to gaping wounds or merely reshuffling government positions in a superficial cabinet reshuffle. It requires a fundamental overhaul of its internal mechanics, its governance philosophy, and its covenant with the people of South Sudan. Taking the following critical steps into the consideration will aid the SPLM address the ongoing governance failures.
Prioritizing service delivery and economic diversification
Ultimately, the legitimacy of any ruling party rests on its ability to tangibly improve the lives of its citizens. The SPLM’s stagnation is most acutely felt by ordinary South Sudanese who lack access to basic services like healthcare, quality education, clean water, and reliable power.
The revival must redirect national priorities towards essential service delivery. This involves prudent fiscal management, investing heavily in the agricultural sector to ensure food security, and creating a stable, secure environment conducive to private sector investment. A move away from total, risky reliance on oil revenues is essential for long-term economic resilience. By shifting focus from extracting wealth to creating it, the SPLM can secure a sustainable future.
Upholding the rule of law and implementing zero tolerance for corruption
Corruption is arguably the most insidious impediment to South Sudan’s development. The pilfering of national resources has left the country economically crippled. As the ruling party, the SPLM must adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards graft, moving beyond empty promises to tangible action. It is both moral responsibility and political obligation to uphold the rule of law and swiftly combat endemic corruption.
This is not merely a call for rhetoric; it requires the establishment of genuinely independent anti-corruption bodies. The party must ensure that these institutions have teeth and are shielded from political interference. Justice must be applied equally, regardless of one’s political seniority, military rank, or tribal affiliation. Public officials accused of misappropriation of public resources must face the full force of the law.
When convicted in a competent court of law, their assets must be frozen, and ill-gotten gains repatriated to the state coffers. By putting its own house in order, the SPLM can begin the arduous task of restoring public trust, a political commodity currently in alarmingly short supply. The current impunity is not only politically undesirable but morally unacceptable.
Prioritizing institution building over personal rule
One of the key lessons from successful post-conflict nations such as the People’s Republic of China is the paramount importance of strong, durable institutions over reliance on charismatic, loyal, yet fallible, individuals.
Unfortunately, the SPLM leadership has often favored a strongman politics and ad-hoc committees over strengthening the enduring machinery of the party and state at large. State institutions in particular, from the non-partisan civil service and the judiciary to the security forces and national statistics bureau, are feeble, underfunded, and highly politicized.
The revival blueprint demands an urgent focus on the professionalization of these institutions. The security sector, in particular, requires radical reforms to move away from a collection of factional militias operating under various command structures towards a unified, professional, and apolitical national army and police force that serve all South Sudanese people faithfully. Building vigorous institutions will guarantee stability that is not dependent on the whims of a single individual, allowing the nation to turn a new leaf and establish a predictable governance framework.
Recommitting to genuine democratic principles
The SPLM must walk the talk when it comes to democracy. The internal party structures have become moribund, dominated by a small coterie of historical figures who have effectively blocked internal competition and fresh perspectives. The atmosphere is one of political patronage rather than meritocracy.
Revival, as the word suggests, is not an abstract concept; it is an urgent necessity with tangible requirements. True and genuine political revival must reflect internal democratic rejuvenation. The SPLM must conduct periodic, free, fair, and transparent party elections at all levels—from the Boma right up to the National Liberation Council.
Power must devolve from the highly centralized or concentrated structure that currently exists to the lower echelons. In addition, the unconstitutional supremacy of the executive branch over the legislative and judicial arms of government must cease, ensuring a genuine principle of separation of power. Democracy is not merely an impression of government institutions, but a pragmatic rigor of checks and balances within the established structures.
The SPLM, as a political party, needs to foster a culture of robust debate and constructive dissent. By tolerating diverse perspectives and allowing potential aspirants to articulate their views without fear of retribution or expulsion, the SPLM can surely become a forum where people can express themselves freely. This is the essence of democracy.
A party that cannot embrace internal democracy or accommodate constructive dissent will never govern a democratic and stable state. This move is crucial to breathe new life into the party and nurture the next generation of leadership the country so desperately needs. The existing system, operating on the mantra of “the leader is always right,” is a recipe for long-term disaster.
Embracing generational change and intellectual renewal
The current leadership model relies heavily on the legacy and emotional currency of the liberation struggle. While this history deserves profound respect and documentation, a modern nation-state cannot only be governed perpetually on past glory. The old guard, many of whom are ill-equipped for the complexities of modern economic governance and diplomacy, must make way for a new breed of technocrats, intellectuals, and young leaders.
The SPLM needs to strike a delicate balance between respecting its liberation-era veterans and nurturing a new generation of technocrats and ideologically oriented cadres. The appointment of younger figures with a focus on policy and intellectual engagement can be a potential step in the right direction, signaling a recognition that intellectual renewal is needed.
As such, the SPLM should actively look beyond liberation’s inner circles. This involves establishing robust mentorship programmes and actively recruiting skilled South Sudanese diaspora members and competent local graduates into the party and public service roles based on merit, not connections.
This infusion of new blood, ideas, and expertise is vital for intellectual renewal. Balancing the “liberation past” with the “democratic future” is the key to sustained progress and ensuring the party remains relevant to a youthful population that is increasingly demanding competence over historical credentials.
The time for action is now
The SPLM is at a precipice. It can choose to cling to the status quo, which inevitably leads to further fragmentation, state failure, and national despair, or it can choose the path to rejuvenation laid out here. This blueprint is not a mere set of suggestions; it is a vital necessity for the survival and prosperity of the South Sudanese State.
The path to revival is undoubtedly challenging. It requires a willingness from the current leadership to cede control, accept criticism, and genuinely engage in self-reflection. However, the alternative path is continued stagnation, which essentially threatens not only the future of the SPLM but the very existence of South Sudan as a stable, viable nation-state.
The call for revival is not a choice but a demand that the party returns to its roots, addresses its profound governance discrepancy, and restores the trust of its people. By recommitting to democracy, fighting corruption tooth and nail, building strong state institutions, embracing dissent, and prioritizing the welfare of every citizen, the SPLM can break the cycle of stagnation and become a force for positive change once again. The time for waiting and watching is over. The time for genuine, decisive action is now. The destiny of South Sudan hangs in the balance, and the SPLM holds the pen that will write the next chapter.
The author is a teacher and political commentator. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations, BSc Degree in Political Science and a Diploma in Civics. He can be reached via amajuayani@gmail.com.
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