South Sudan, the world’s youngest nation, has been engulfed in political, economic, and social crises since its independence. At the center, stands President Salva Kiir, whose leadership has transformed the state into a personalized system of power, where institutions serve, not the public good, but the preservation of his authority.
The consequences of this personalization are profound as they have resulted into uncontrolled corruption, tribalism, institutional decay, and the erosion of social morality.
President Kiir has systematically blurred the line between state and party, making the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In-Government (SPLM-IG) synonymous with his personality cult. The government itself has become an extension of his will, funding political and security activities that reinforce his dominance. Accountability of the state is therefore inseparable from accountability of Kiir himself.
Institutions, rather than functioning independently, are weaponized to settle personal scores against opponents. Public resources are deployed as instruments of soft power, which in turn support coercive measures against dissenters. Individuals such as Benjamin Bol Mel and Akol Koor Kuch have been drawn into executing Kiir’s political maneuvers, only to bear the full weight of responsibility when those maneuvers collapse.
This strategy allows Kiir to enjoy the benefits of manipulation while insulating himself from direct blame.
A hallmark of Kiir’s governance is the deliberate delay in responding to emerging crises. By allowing tensions to escalate unchecked, he creates an atmosphere of public frustration, only to intervene later in ways that appear to restore order. This calculated timing fosters an illusion of relief, positioning him as the indispensable arbiter of stability. Yet beneath this façade lies a dangerous tactic of turning communities against one another, pitting citizens against each other, and the underlying policies that fuel division remain unchallenged. Fear of losing Kiir’s favour ensures silence, even in the face of destructive governance.
South Sudan’s economy has been hollowed out by corruption, with all sources of income generation tied directly or indirectly to Kiir’s network of loyalists. Public resources are siphoned into patronage systems, while the delivery of essential services languishes. In this laissez-faire environment, morality and social standards have become casualties.
Success is determined, not by competence or integrity, but by proximity to corruption and loyalty to Kiir. Conversely, adherence to recognized moral standards has become a pathway to poverty and suffering.
The personalization of power has corroded the social fabric of South Sudan. Tribal affiliations are exploited as instruments of loyalty, and educated individuals are compelled to act in ways that reinforce Kiir’s dominance, even during moments of moral crisis. Leadership is measured, not by vision or accountability, but by conformity to Kiir’s corrupt standards.
SPLM-IG, once a liberation movement, has devolved into the butcher of South Sudanese morality, eroding the values that could have anchored a cohesive society.
Any push for peaceful reform in South Sudan is inherently a push against Kiir’s personalized system of power. Because the state is inseparable from his authority, reform is perceived as an attack on his very survival. Kiir’s reliance on money to protect and perpetuate his rule underscores his willingness to pay any price to retain power. This explains the government’s chronic failure to deliver services as resources are diverted to sustain the Presidency, rather than to meet the needs of the people.
South Sudan’s crises are not merely the product of structural challenges or historical legacies; they are the direct consequence of President Kiir’s personalization of power. By capturing institutions, manipulating crises, fostering corruption, and eroding morality, Kiir has entrenched a system where accountability is synonymous with his downfall.
Until this system is dismantled, South Sudan will remain trapped in cycles of instability, corruption, and social decay.
The writer, Juol Nhomngek Daniel, is a lawyer and member of the SPLM-IO. He lectures at the College of Law, Starford International University. He can be reached via email: nhomngekjuol@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.