The SPLM, the One-Man Enterprise

Salva Kiir Mayardit is running the SPLM in a dictatorial leadership. His leadership style has been characterized by a lack of transparency and consultation with other members of the party. Kiir has been known to make unilateral decisions without the input of other party leaders, which has led to a power struggle within the SPLM.

Furthermore, Kiir has been sidelining the founding members of the SPLM who played a key role in the liberation struggle. Many of these individuals have been pushed out of the party or have been marginalized in decision-making processes. Instead, Kiir has recruited sycophants to the SPLM leadership who are loyal to him and his agenda. This has resulted in a lack of diversity of thought within the party and a disregard for the contributions of other members. As a result, the SPLM has become a one-man enterprise, with Kiir at the helm and little room for dissent or debate. This has led to the abandonment of the SPLM’s original vision and a shift towards a more authoritarian style of governance.

Recruitment of corruption engineers to the SPLM has been a common practice under Salva Kiir’s leadership. The president has consistently appointed individuals with questionable ethical and moral standards to key positions in government, allowing them to siphon off public resources for personal gain. This has resulted in a culture of impunity, where corrupt officials are rarely held accountable for their actions.

Moreover, the SPLM has been plagued by the betrayal of its leaders. Many former members of the party have accused Salva Kiir of sidelining and even imprisoning those who pose a threat to his rule. This has led to a lack of diversity in the party’s leadership, with key positions being held by individuals who are loyal to the president rather than the party’s ideals. As a result, the SPLM’s ability to govern effectively and promote the interests of the South Sudanese people has been severely compromised.

The future of the SPLM is looking bleak as a result of the growing discontent among its members. Many have become disillusioned with the party’s leadership and the direction it is taking, and this is likely to impact its performance in the 2024 elections. Without the support of its members, the SPLM is likely to struggle to make any significant gains in the polls.

Furthermore, the assessment of the SPLM as a favorable party is declining. The party’s reputation has been tarnished by corruption scandals, internal divisions, and a failure to deliver on its promises. As a result, many voters are turning away from the SPLM and looking for alternative options. Unless the party can address these issues and win back the trust of its supporters, it is likely to collapse in the near future, and people will forget about it.

It is no secret that the SPLM has been the dominant political party in South Sudan since its independence in 2011. However, its track record in delivering on its promises of peace, stability, and development has been dismal. The SPLM has been plagued by infighting, corruption, and a lack of clear vision for the country’s future. It is time for South Sudanese to abandon the SPLM and support other parties with a clear vision for the country’s future.

One such party is the People’s United Forum (PUF), which is committed to transforming South Sudan into a stable and prosperous nation where the rule of law prevails. PUF has a clear agenda that prioritizes the needs of the people, including improving access to education, healthcare, and basic services, as well as promoting economic growth and development. By supporting parties like PUF, South Sudanese can help to create a more democratic and accountable political system that works for the benefit of all citizens.