S. Sudanese express mixed reactions over interim arrangements
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March 28, 2014- (JUBA) - South Sudanese citizens from the different
ethnic groups may regard dialogue as a solution to the country's
conflict, but the proposed establishment of an interim administration
has drawn mixed reactions.
JPEG - 13.3 kb
South Sudan's President Salva Kiir speaks after meeting with Sudan's
President Omer al-Bashir, in the capital Juba, South Sudan, Monday,
Jan. 6, 2014 (AP/ Ali Ngethi)
Sudan Tribune on Friday carried out sample interviews among citizens
and government officials to get their view on how they felt these
conflict could be amicably resolved.
Oyet Patrick, a member of the country's ruling party (SPLM) from
Eastern Equatoria state exclusively told Sudan Tribune on Friday that
he does not envision a military victory on either side of the
conflict, regardless of whatever capabilities existed.
"As member of the SPLM, war has never been a choice to advance
democratic ideals. The SPLM as a historical party, fought against all
forms and attitudes which undermines democracy and good governance. It
would therefore be unwise for us in the SPLM to go against the very
fundamental rights and the ideals which constituted the basis of our
struggle", said Oyet.
He wondered what structural reforms the opposition needed when they
opted to take up arms against the very government, which had initiated
reforms in accordance with public demands.
"I hear from our team in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where talks have
resumed that the rebels have started talking about reforms. What
reforms are they talking about? I thought some of those talking about
reforms took up arms against the government, particularly the
leadership of comrade president Salva Kiir when introduced changes as
part of the reform to response to the local and the international
outcry about corruption and mismanagement", Oyet observed.
He said meaningful reforms would only be achieve through dialogue, not
gun barrels.
Patrick Adel Majut, a native from South Sudan's Warrap state said
proper reforms should relate to the executive powers and the
independence of other institutions, minus any interference.
"I challenge people with ideas, especially those talking about reforms
to come out clearly and say what they mean by the reforms and why it
is necessary to form [an] interim government without President Salva.
I need to be educated so that I understand. Maybe there is something I
have not understood. The reforms being talked about could mean
something different", he said.
"There have been a lot of concerns not only about presidential powers
but also presidential term limit. The Interim constitution of Southern
Sudan which was ratified into the transitional constitution of the
republic of South Sudan limits the presidential terms to only two
terms but this was not clarified in the transitional constitution. The
executive powers of the president are some of the concerns today",
added Majut.
South Sudan's Transitional Constitution, he further said, gives the
country's president powers to remove governors and dissolve state
assemblies.
"This provision is being interpreted differently and it is the one
causing all this confusion and conflict. Something must be done and I
think this could be one of the areas where reforms are needed", Majut
told a youth gathering in the capital, Juba on Friday.
He however supported the country's interim arrangement proposal, but
said it should be established in accordance with laid down procedures
that will usher in peace and stability.
Charles Shadrack Manyang, who hails from Lakes state, said an interim
arrangement meant removing President Kiir from power and subsequently
installing his ex-deputy, Riek Machar.
"From own analysis, I find that the interim arrangements we are
discussing now simply mean installment of Riek Machar into the
presidency by the western powers. Otherwise there is nothing else. The
so-called reforms are basically reflective of the so-called six points
of Riek Machar", argued Manyang.
"Just do the assessment and see whether you will find issues which
were raised by Riek Machar, like foreign policy, the economy and
security reforms as well as structuring public services. There is
nothing new", he further stressed.
Sebit Abui, a youth leader from Lainya county in Central Equatoria
state, interpreted the reform to mean all sort of structural reforms
needed to improve the lives of South Sudanese, but stressed that its
implementation required "visionary" leaders to avoid further unrest.
"The idea is not bad. It is good only that I see challenges in the
implementation. The sort of structural reforms that the economy of
this country needs are those likely to cause another social unrest if
there is no visionary leadership to educate the public of the
importance before being executed", Abui told Sudan Tribune.
Meanwhile, Joseph Samuel, a native of Western Equatoria said radical
reforms were urgently needed in the security sector and institutions,
which deal with public resource management.
"It's essential for economic reform to take place, but it depends
whether the aim of the next government is political stability or
economic reform. There is indeed a need for a visionary leader who
would come and figure out how to reign in an ascendant security
apparatus, and an isolated and often politically embarrassing
judiciary", Samuel said.
"The current army is not independent from politics. It is just like a
coalition of tribal groups maintaining loyalty to their tribesmen. The
event of the 15 December is a clear testimony of what kind of army we
have", he added.
(ST)
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