Opinion | The endless transitional governments in South Sudan

By Amb. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth

OPINION – The political landscape in the Republic of South Sudan has been transition after transition since 2011. The last democratic general election was in 2010 when Sudan was still one. After South Sudan gained her Independent in 2011, there was no election held since then.

Why I said our Country has been on transition after transition. In 2011, the first transitional constitution was adopted and transitional government was formed subsequently. The first transition kicked off preparing the Country for general elections in 2015. Independent Election Commission and Political Parties Council were established. Critical institution like Southern Sudan Statistics Bureau was upgraded into National Statistics Bureau. The transformation of the security forces got underway, both cabinet and National Assembly were busy passing laws critical for the establishment of viable, stable and secure State.

Endless Transitional Governments

This transition was interrupted in December 2013 when war broke out. Everything that the transitional government tirelessly worked on was thrown into dustbin. The SPLM Party which was the driving force behind the Transitional Government disintegrated and became 3 factions (SPLM IG, SPLM IO and SPLM FDs) fighting itself. The regional bloc, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) came in to mediate between the rivaling factions. After protracted negotiations in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, the ARCISS was signed in 17^th August 2015.

The second transitional Government (TGONU) was formed to implement the agreement and prepare the Country for general elections. The July incident at the Palace (J1) in July 2016 interrupted the transition for the second time.

Hostilities resumed between the Unity Government and the oppositions. IGAD came in again for the second time to revitalize the ARCISS. The revitalized agreement was negotiated and signed in Khartoum 2018 leading to the formation of a third transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU).

This transition will come to an end in 2022. The ultimate goal of the transitional government at the end of transition is to conduct general election which is scheduled to take place in 2023. Why should we keep our Country hostage through Transitional Governments?

This 2023 election is a must to end the political stagnation and usher in a new political dispensation. Our Country can’t afford to continue surviving on transition. There must be an elected Government with popular mandate. There is no perfect elections even in the most developed World.

How can we experience real democracy if the Country is recycling itself through transitional governments? Conducting general elections is a MUST so that our people can elect their representatives.

The SPLM/SPLA-IO’s Objection

The SPLM/SPLA-IO objecting to the holding of the general elections in 2023 citing insecurity and lack of the implementation of some of the provisions in the agreement is not convincing.

It is the last kick of a dying horse. The truth is, the SPLM/A-IO-Juba faction cannot win the upcoming election given the mass exodus from IO to SPLM-IG. However for the first time I agree with Capt. Mabior Garang when he said in his article of February 11, 2022 “The (SPLM/SPLA IO Juba) goal is to create insecurity and then cite the same insecurity as the reason elections should not be held, when the truth is they cannot win”

The SPLM/A-IO is busy opening up fronts everywhere in the Country causing insecurity and use the same insecurity they created to delay election. I need to assure our people that, the government is working to address such issues and this will end soon.

Free, Fair and Credible Election

The SPLM Party under the Chairman Cde. Salva Kiir Mayardit, will win the 2023 general election in all the 3 regions of Bar El Ghazal, Equatoria and Upper Nile.

If the SPLM/A-IO (Juba faction) has some reservations on the free and fairness of the elections, there shall be observers such as IGAD, AU, UN, Great Lakes Region, East Africa Community, Troika, and friendly Countries that shall accredited by South Sudan Independent Election Commission.

These regional and international bodies will be providing technical assistance to the election commission. UNMISS is also here to assist the security forces in provision of security where necessary.

For data, South Sudan can use old demarcated geographical constituencies and the voter registration that can be updated to match with the current realities.

In conclusion let us have peaceful election so that we can put to test the democracy we are preaching.

Let us give our people a chance to choose their leaders and not imposing leaders on them through political agreements.

The author is a former minister of petroleum and former SPLM-IO Chairman of National Committee for Foreign Relations.

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