President Kiir is drowning and holding on snapping straws

Salva Kiir, the South Sudanese president finds himself in an empty boats as his political allies are deserting him(Photo credits: Kulan)

Jan 26, 2015(Nyamilepedia) — Since December 2013, President Kiir has been desperately trying to justify his continuous stay in power despite his murderous onslaught on the innocent Nuers. Immediately after the failure of the SPLM National Liberation Council to pass his draconian Basic Rules and Regulations, Kiir appeared in the state TV dressed in military attire and addressed the Nation informing them of an impending Coup organized by Dr. Riek and some 11 other members of the SPLM Political Bureau. After finishing his address he immediately order the killing of the Nuer which was immediately executed by his private army, the “Gelbany and Dodkubeny”.

President Kiir went further to order the killing and/or the arrest of Dr. Riek and his accomplices. Eleven members of the Political Bureau suspected of siding with Dr. Riek were arrested and latter arraigned in a kangaroo court. After the trying judge could not find evidence of the alleged coup the accused were released. This court finding was supported by local and diplomatic personnel based in Juba. Senior military officers in-charged of security also dismissed the trumped up charges. Unfortunately for President Kiir his first life saving straw snapped and hanged on to other straws.

President Kiir second straw was how he could legitimize his stay in power as his tenure was near to expire. He wants to do this by ordering his nonindependent Election Commission to conduct elections knowing very well that in the current civil war in the South, elections can never be free and fair. President Kiir wants to get what he failed to get at the negotiating table through “panya” road. But the people of South Sudan are not stupid  The Civil society organizations and the political parties have now filed a suit against the conduct of such elections. Moreover, President Kiir formed a permanent constitution making committee more two years ago and it is this constitution that the conduction of any elections shall be based. President Kiir is now ruling using a transitional constitution.

For how long can he go like this without a permanent constitution? Moreover, elections can not be conducted without money. President Kiir’s government bank account is zero and the US has already refused to fund Kiir mock elections.  Surely, President Kiir second life saving straw is going to snap. President Kiir third life saving straw has been the Arusha SPLM Unity Talks. But as it appears these talks are a total failure as no conclusive outcomes have been realised. The question of the chairmanship of the SPLM and the working basic rules and regulations have not been conclusively agreed upon by all parties. But even if the three factions of the SPLM agree to unite who in South Sudan would want to return to a party so immersed in murder, corruption and tribalism. Was it not SPLM which was ruling the South since 2005 and the it remained underdeveloped as the British left it? What will happen to the 40 billion dollars stolen by SPLM cadres and what about Dura Saga and so on and so on….?

The only hope for peace now is not SPLM Unity, it is not holding of unfair elections to legitimise Kiir authority.Peace will come when IGAD holds the “bull by the horns”, sees the unconditional withdrawal of Kiirs’ mercenaries (the UPDF and the Sudan Rebels) and then allows the warring factions to discuss the fundamental issues leading to the genocide in Juba on December 15th 2013.

You can reached Timothy Tot Chol at kuacthiang52@gmail.com.