The residents in Northern Bahr el Ghazal say they have been deprived of their constitutional and legal rights to join political parties and government institutions, denying them many opportunities and decision-making levels.
Article 26 (1) of The Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan says every citizen shall have the right to take part in any level of government directly or through a freely chosen representative, and shall have the right to nominate himself or herself or be nominated for a public post or office under this Constitution and the law. Article 26 (2) reads: “Every citizen shall have the right to vote or be elected under this constitution and the law.”
Maria Abuk Dut, a resident of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, said there is no political equality for citizens to join political groups.
“In my own opinion, there is no political equality in South Sudan because if someone wants to join SPLM-IO, SPLM, OPP, or SSOA, there are no opportunities at all for the citizens to decide their future political interests in various political parties,” she said. “If a member of the SPLM party wants to join the opposition SPLM-IO, he or she may face a lot of problems, and if they are not careful, it will cost them their innocent lives.”
Another resident, identified only as Bol, said South Sudan’s politics is known for being tribal and that this has led to the appointment of incompetent officials.
“There is no equality in South Sudan politics because rights are not provided and the politicians operate along tribal lines,” he said. “If there is political equality, a right carder who has achieved many things would be appointed in the right place.”
An Aweil-based lawyer who talked to Radio Tamazuj on condition of anonymity due to security and political concerns, said there must be equality between the political parties in the unity government to allow them to make the best decisions for the people.
“Political equality means equal rights among parties in a unity government, and there is a need for equality among competing parties over opportunities because sometimes one political party controls everything,” he explained.
He added that there is poor representation of minorities at decision-making levels and slammed the government for maintaining a dictatorial system.
“There are a lot of challenges, including poor representation of minority parties because the dictatorship government system in the country controls freedom of expression and right to opinion,” he stated.
On her part, Angelina Agau Thiep, a female activist in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, said there is no political equality at the national and state levels, although the constitution grants it.
“Some of the political parties are marginalized,” she said. “Why does this happen, yet we have constitutional and legal rights?”
Agau also decried the mistreatment of opposition political parties.