Defections sow political uncertainty, says Yakani
South Sudan has been through yet another political circle where the leading party SPLM-IG signed a deal with SPLA-IO splinter faction, Kit Gwang, in a bid to restore peace in Upper Nile. But under this deal are concerns that need to be addressed.
To have an insight into the current political development in South Sudan, The City Review arranged an interview with the Executive Director of Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO), Edmund Yakani, to shed more light on these issues and regional stability. Here is the interview.
Q. Thank you for honouring The City Review interview request. First, what is your assessment of the general political situation of South Sudan as Africa’s youngest country tries to transition to a full-fledged democratic nation?
A. The political situation in South Sudan is fragile and unpredictable with the trend of defections among the parties entrusted to implement the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS). Without the genuine implementation of the R-ARCSS, the political situation cannot easily transition from violence to peace successfully. The political instability in South Sudan has a direct impact on the regional peace and security arena.
Q. With some key provisions still pending, what do you think is the future of South Sudan?
A. The future of successful political transition from violence to peace in South Sudan through the implementation of the R-ARCSS is below expectations. This is much fueled by the higher deficit in trust and confidence among the parties entrusted to the implementation of the R-ARCSS according to article 1.1.1 of the peace agreement. The culture of defection and slow implementation of the security transitional arrangements is clear evidence that the fate of R-ARCSS acting as the best political framework for transitioning the country from violence to peace is very low
Q. What does SPLM-IG – Kit-Gwang peace deal mean to the other partners to the revitalised peace agreement?
A. It means SPLM-IG has the upper hand on determining the R-ARCSS implementation and they view SPLM-IG as the actor that undermines their role in delivering peace and stability in the country, especially the Khartoum peace deal is a formalizing defection of Kit-Gwang faction to SSPDF.
Q. It is about three weeks since the beginning of the New Year, and President Salva Kiir recently effected some changes, especially in the financial sectors, appointing the new governor of the Central Bank of South Sudan. What is your take on that?
A. These reforms will not contribute much if the practice of the national financial institutions is not reformed. For stance, auctioning cash dollars to commercial financial facilities is not the best approach for strengthening the South Sudan pounds against the US dollars.
The auctioning of the US dollars is a total commoditization of the US dollar. Commoditizing the US dollar is one of the factors that is worsening the economic situation. I wish Central Bank invests the amount of US dollars to strengthen the private sector or agriculture and purchase gold as reserves
Q. Do you see something crucial still missing that needs quick action to reform South Sudan’s financial management system?
A. Yes, the lack of utilising the oil revenue in the productive sector such as agriculture. Without stoppage of the culture of using the oil revenue for direct payment of government services. Secondly, a genuine fight against corrupt practices in the public financial sector is required
Q. What is your general assessment of the regional situation concerning South Sudan relations with Ethiopia, and Sudan?
A. The regional situation with a focus on Ethiopia and Sudan is bouncing too much. The political instability in Ethiopia and Sudan has a direct impact on the relation of South Sudan with them. The best way South Sudan should play is to act as a genuine mediator of the political crisis in Ethiopia and Sudan.
Q. Should South Sudan entertain the conversations of extending the transitional period for a certain period?
A. If the parties’ signatories to the R-ARCSS like it but the big question is, extension for what, since the last longer period the parties failed to deliver the required tasks of the transitional period. The big issue is the absence of political will to implement the R-ARCSS fueled by the high level of deficit in trust and confidence among the members of the presidency to genuinely implement the R-ARCSS
Q. What are the factors that perpetuate violence in South Sudan? And can be done to eradicate those factors to make South Sudan peaceful?
A. The culture of political elites who want to be leaders at the same time not in an honourable and peaceful manner. This is strengthening with the attitudes of militarising politics and politicising military. The absence of separation of role between being a political leader and military command in public offices is another factor that requires to be handled for securing peaceful South Sudan
Q. Can South Sudanese have hope in the face of the general political situation in the country?
A. Yes, especially if the country is availed free, fair, credible and non-violent national constitution-making and electoral process where state agencies are not allow to abuse their powers for favoring certain political choices by threatening and harassing opponents of their state agencies’ chosen choice
Q. What are your final thoughts?
A. South Sudan political stability is totally determined by a total change of attitudes among the political elites
