Advocating for Fairness: A Call for Change in SPLM Party Appointments

By John Garang Tiop

In our journey toward stability and progress, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) is a beacon of hope. But within our party, there’s a troubling trend in how appointments are made.

I’m speaking out because appointments based on lobbying and connections, rather than merit, are hurting morale and causing discontent among members.

The current system, filled with nepotism and favoritism, creates inequality. It pushes capable people aside while letting well-connected individuals rise to power. This isn’t fair and undermines our party’s effectiveness and credibility.

Leadership positions in Jonglei State should rotate to reflect its diversity, showing our commitment to sharing power and being inclusive.

But the recent appointment of Hon. Atong Kuol as deputy governor seems to go against this. It upsets the power balance and raises questions about fairness within the SPLM.

Adding to the concern is that Atong Kuol’s appointment came after removing the former deputy governor from the same clan in Duk County. This sudden change disappoints those who believe in fairness and transparency.

It’s troubling to see that influential connections, like Atong’s father, Gen. Kuol Manyang, seem to matter in appointments. This makes you wonder if those without connections will ever get a fair chance.

While family ties shouldn’t automatically disqualify people from leadership positions, appointments should be based on merit, not nepotism.

As an economist and public administrator who values fairness and good governance, I see these appointments damaging our party’s credibility. They risk making it seem like we’re about patronage, not justice and progress.

The SPLM needs to listen to these concerns and act to rebuild trust. Appointments should be based on merit, not connections. That’s the only way we can stay true to our values and continue to serve all South Sudanese.

As a member of the SPLM, I’m deeply saddened by these developments. It feels like our party’s essence, which fought for our people’s freedom, is being compromised for personal gain instead of unity and strength through diversity.

In conclusion, the SPLM stands at a crossroads. We must decide whether to uphold the principles of fairness and meritocracy that our party was founded upon or allow nepotism and favoritism to erode our values. It’s clear that the current system of appointments is damaging our party’s credibility and risking the trust of our members and the public.

Recommendation:

To restore faith and confidence in the SPLM, I recommend implementing transparent and merit-based processes for appointments. Leaders should be chosen based on their abilities and qualifications, not their connections. Additionally, we should reaffirm our commitment to diversity and inclusivity, ensuring that all communities have a voice in governance. By taking these steps, the SPLM can reaffirm its position as a champion of justice, equality, and progress for all South Sudanese.  That was a missions and visions of the SPLM.