Why wait till 2011 the door is a jar!!

John Garang once remarked that the SPLM/A (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army) adopted certain undesirable practices that would tarnish its reputation for years to come. He was right, yet he understated the truth. Beyond human rights violations, the SPLM/A, throughout the war, relied heavily on looting and received food from international relief agencies at the “refugee” camps. Recruits were indoctrinated to live by the barrel of a gun, and even the SPLA “graduation song” contained disturbing themes:

“Even your mother, give her a bullet!
Even your father, give him a bullet!
Your gun is your food; your gun is your wife.”

Military training is dehumanizing by nature, preparing individuals to kill others, but the SPLM/A took it to an extreme, fostering a callous attitude towards civilians. This attitude was designed to ensure the survival of its fighters and to create an environment where joining the SPLM/A was seen as the only option for the starving. When atrocities occurred, the organization’s propaganda machine would often blame Khartoum. This behavior is common in many wars, yet the SPLM/A showed little determination to eradicate such conduct.

Despite the peace agreement, incidents like those in Rumbake, Malkal, Juba, Abyei, and the attempted assassination of the former foreign minister indicate that violence persists. The SPLM/A’s continued purchase of arsenals, air defense systems, fighter jets, and tanks from Ukraine and Russia has not contributed to peace but has instead fueled further conflict. This behavior enriches arms traders but does little to promote peace in the South.

The reality of South Sudan contrasts sharply with the speeches heard during government forums. Many donors, especially those from the US, Scandinavia, or the Arab Muslim League, have been manipulated by the SPLM/A’s disinformation campaigns. These generous but often naive benefactors have inadvertently funded a conflict rooted in tribalism and religious animosity, where the beneficiaries are often the arms and energy traders.

The killings in South Sudan have elements of both Christian versus Islamist conflict and deep-seated tribalism that has existed for centuries. Today, South Sudanese live with a crippling fear of another Rwanda-like genocide, with an environment where everyone is considered an enemy unless they belong to the same tribe. Many tribes, such as the Azandi, the Shilluk, and the Nuba Mountains, remain silent, fearing that speaking out might lead to further internal fragmentation and conflict. These tribes are aware that previous tribal conflicts often resulted in large-scale violence and that peace requires compromise and coexistence.

However, there is hope. Many within and outside the Government of South Sudan (GOSS) recognize the need to move beyond tribalism, militarism, and selfishness. They are working toward a future where all of South Sudan’s tribes can coexist peacefully and where the north and south can rebuild a unified Sudan. Despite this, tribalism and militarism continue to threaten the region’s stability, with the ongoing risk of further conflict.

For those advocating for the South’s secession from Sudan, the neighboring regions, like northern Uganda, Zaire, and Kenya, provide stark lessons in tribal feudalism. The situation in South Sudan has made many in the north reconsider the cost of unity, leading some to believe that it might be better to let the South go than to endure another protracted and costly conflict. Despite these challenges, the fight for peace and unity continues, with those dedicated to a brighter future for all Sudanese.
Hatim El-madani*