The future of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) as the ruling party in South Sudan is critically assessed in the context of the country’s turbulent post-independence period.
South Sudan achieved independence in 2011, largely due to the SPLM/SPLA’s armed struggle, but the transition has been fraught with challenges, including internal conflicts and governance issues. SPLM, which began as a liberation movement, has struggled to transform into a cohesive political party capable of nation-building and inclusive governance.
The potential for SPLM to mirror the trajectory of Kenya’s KANU (Kenya African National Union) stems from several parallels, primarily related to leadership, internal divisions, and the post-liberation struggle for control. KANU, a dominant force in Kenya for decades following independence, eventually faced significant challenges due to entrenched leadership, corruption, and an inability to adapt to multi-party democracy. Similarly, SPLM has exhibited characteristics that could lead to a similar outcome.
One significant factor is the nature of leadership within SPLM. The leadership and management situation in South Sudan is often characterized by incompetence, autocracy, and a lack of accountability. Many leaders within SPLM are described as having emerged from the liberation struggle without the skills for peacetime governance, resulting in a system in which personal interests often override the national development agenda. This resembles the long-standing, often authoritarian, leadership that characterized KANU for many years.
Furthermore, SPLM’s internal struggles for political control, particularly highlighted by the December 2013 crisis, demonstrate nationalist leaders’ reluctance to continue nation-building initiatives, where many of them keep blaming the top seat in the party as a problem. Instead, the focus has shifted to a struggle for power, reminiscent of how KANU’s internal power dynamics shaped Kenyan politics. This is compounded by the fact that many post-independence African states, including South Sudan, have seen nationalist leaders prioritize political control over inclusive development after achieving liberation.
The reliance on political agreements between politico-military elites rather than on engagement with local communities is another critical issue for SPLM. This “disconnect between elites and local communities” is a common feature in protracted conflicts that relapse into war, as seen in the recent history of Sudan/South Sudan. Such a top-down approach, in which power is concentrated among a few, can lead to widespread dissatisfaction and instability, as was the case that ultimately undermined KANU’s legitimacy.
Reuniting the fractured SPLM presents substantial difficulties due to deep-seated internal divisions, ethnic rivalries, and a persistent struggle for political control rather than a shared national vision. The crisis in South Sudan that began in December 2013 exposed significant rifts within the SPLM, leading to a grave political debacle. These divisions are not merely ideological but are often rooted in personal ambitions and ethnic allegiances, making reconciliation arduous.
SPLM’s fragmentation can be attributed to the lack of a shared national identity and the prioritization of sub-national loyalties. South Sudan, though independent, was “born prematurely into a conflict society where fragility is manifested through multiple challenges”. This inherent fragility means that political actors often retreat to ethnic or regional bases of support, undermining attempts at national unity. The national question, identity, and the crisis in South Sudan are intrinsically linked, making it challenging for a broad-based political movement like SPLM to maintain cohesion amid internal power struggles.
Moreover, the legacy of political violence and inequitable distribution of wealth and power, which characterized post-independence Sudan and continued in South Sudan, further exacerbates internal divisions. The political elites’ adoption of colonial traditions of violence and subjective sociopolitical contracts means that power is often seen as a zero-sum game. This environment fosters distrust and competition, making genuine reconciliation and reunification of factions within SPLM exceptionally difficult. Efforts to reduce conflict through federalism, while successful in maintaining territorial integrity in some African federations, have had limited success in South Sudan. The deep-rooted nature of these conflicts, often fueled by elite-level disagreements, suggests that superficial political agreements are insufficient for lasting unity.
For those within SPLM who genuinely seek to re-establish the party’s role as a unifying and effective ruling entity, several critical actions are necessary:
First is promotion of inclusive governance and accountability: There is an urgent need to move away from autocratic, incompetent leadership that has plagued South Sudan. Implementing mechanisms for transparent governance, accountability, and the rule of law is paramount. This would involve reforming institutions to ensure they serve the populace rather than merely the interests of the ruling elite.
Second is shifting focus to nation-building and public service: Instead of prioritizing political control and personal gain, the party leadership must recommit to nation-building and public service. This includes addressing fundamental socio-economic needs — such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development — that have been largely neglected due to internal conflicts and political instability.
Third is engaging with local communities. A critical lesson from past peacebuilding failures in Sudan/South Sudan is the disconnect between the elites and local communities. Those remaining in the SPLM should engage with diverse local communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are addressed in policy-making. This would help bridge the trust deficit and foster a sense of shared ownership in the country.
Fourth is addressing internal democracy and meritocracy: SPLM must cultivate internal democracy and meritocracy. This involves establishing fair processes for leadership selection, promoting merit-based appointments, and encouraging diverse participation within the party structures.
Fifth is addressing identity and citizenship issues: The “national question” and identity issues are central to the crisis in South Sudan. The party must lead efforts to forge a common national identity that transcends ethnic and regional divisions, providing a framework for inclusive citizenship and equal rights for all South Sudanese. This includes resolving long-standing issues of nationality and citizenship that continue to threaten stability.
Finally, SPLM must embrace peacebuilding beyond elite agreements: Peacebuilding efforts must extend beyond political agreements between politico-military elites to include broader societal engagement. SPLM can champion grassroots peace initiatives and foster reconciliation at all levels of society.
The reunification of the fractured SPLM is difficult due to deep-seated ethnic and political rivalries, compounded by a history of violence and inequitable resource distribution. For SPLM to secure a viable future and avoid a fate similar to KANU, it must undergo significant internal reforms. This necessitates a profound shift towards inclusive and accountable governance, a renewed commitment to nation-building, genuine engagement with diverse communities, and the fostering of internal democracy and meritocracy.
Addressing the fundamental questions of national identity and citizenship, while moving beyond elite-driven peace agreements to embrace comprehensive societal peacebuilding, will be critical for the SPLM to regain its founding purpose and lead South Sudan towards sustainable peace and development.
Leek Daniel is a media specialist and development practitioner and can be reached via leek2daniel@gmail.com.
The views expressed in ‘opinion’ articles published by Radio Tamazuj are solely those of the writer. The veracity of any claims made is the responsibility of the author, not Radio Tamazuj.