Chollo King urges citizens to shun tribal politics

JUBA, NOV. 5, 2023 (SUDANS POST) – Chollo King Kwongo Dak Padiet has appealed to South Sudanese citizens to abandon the practice of aligning themselves with political parties based on tribal affiliation, advocating instead for the adoption of a European-style political ideology in the world’s youngest nation.

Addressing a preparatory rally organized by the ruling Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) faction to endorse President Salva Kiir Mayardit for another term in the upcoming 2024 elections, King Kwongo emphasized that families can hold diverse political beliefs.

“Let us emulate the political ideology of Europe. Brothers can be brothers, but one can belong to one party and the other to another, and yet when they return home, they remain brothers,” the King declared at the event held at Freedom Hall in Juba.

“Let our politics be geared towards development, not individual gain. Self-interest is the root of the problem,” he added.

In a similar vein, Vice-President for Infrastructure Cluster Taban Deng Gai urged South Sudanese to embrace any political party that delivers services, regardless of the tribe of the party leader so as to get the country on the right truck.

“From now on, we no longer have Chollo, Dinka, or Nuer. Yes, we are all that, but in one place, there can be SPLM-IO in a household in Upper Nile that cannot kill. If Riek Machar brings a school, we will not refuse it; if he brings a hospital, we will not refuse it. If Lam Akol brings roads, we will not refuse it,” he asserted.

“If the SPLM also brings them roads, they will not refuse it because a party is voted in based on the services it provides to the people. We need parties to eliminate tribalism. If you want politicians to enter politics, don’t enter tribes; join parties, not tribes,” he added.