SPLM/A-IO decries shrunken political space
Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army in Opposition (SPLM/A-IO) has expressed concerns over the ‘‘shrinking political space’’ that is preventing the exercise of political rights.
Speaking at the launch of SPLM-IO membership registration on Saturday in Juba, the SPLM/A-IO Deputy Chairman Oyet Nathaniel Pierino, said his party was not afraid of political competition save for the lack of political space in the country.
Oyet, who also serves as the First Deputy Speaker of the Reconstituted Transitional National Legislative Assembly (R-TNLA), said, “To be honest, the SPLM-IO is not afraid of elections, but lack of political space for our activities to succeed.’’
‘‘It is the biggest challenge we need to fight for because we do not want an election that is not free, fair, and sham to take place in South Sudan,” he said.
According to him, the parties were required under the agreement to lay the groundwork for a free and fair election after the transitional period.
But Oyet said that this cannot be achieved unless the implementation process begins by opening up the political space to allow parties to conduct their activities.
For instance, he claimed that in regions that are not under the control of the SPLM-IO, all their state party chairpersons are dealing with unrelenting harassment.
Appeal for change
“They are facing difficult challenges from the activities of national security, organised forces that exert impetus on civil liberties, political rights to association, and the rights of association.”
“As an example of what is happening in the country, if you want to hold a meeting even mere birthday in hotel or home, one must seek permission from national security. Then one [is forced to ask] where the bill of rights of South Sudan is, which is in the constitution,” Oyet stated.
He appealed for the separation of politics and military as had been envisaged by the liberators who championed secession from the Khartoum administration.
“If you ask, what is the interest of national security or police in stopping any South Sudanese from holding meetings, birthday parties, weddings, or other similar occasions in hotels?” he posed.
“Is it not a fear that people will be discussing political issues and how to mix politics with the military? These are two separate things. “
But for Oyet, the SPLM/A-IO remains unfazed by the challenges and would remain focused on ensuring the implementation of the agreement.
“We do not want anyone to intimidate human rights advocates, professionals such as academics or journalists, or anyone else as happened in parliament a few weeks ago,” Oyet stressed.
According to Mr Oyet, everyone wants a credible election, and that upholds people’s rights and aspirations.
He said there is a need for an election where South Sudanese would have the chance to vote for the leaders of their choosing rather than having someone else make that decision for them.
Even though all candidates were SPLM members in 2010, Oyet alleged that several states had controversial electoral outcomes which unsettled peace.
He said: ‘‘In central Equatoria, Bentiu, and Aweil, we had a problem that emerged out of elections, and in almost 10 states, there were acrimony elections. Like in Eastern Equatoria some candidates were ticking off ballot papers for themselves. “
“Even with only one dominant party, the elections could not go well. What about today, when we have a lot of parties? There are parties which have more than 13 in alliance, while others have more than that,” he stressed.
