On July 9th, 2011, thousands of people in the South chanted ‘freedom’ to commemorate the birth of youngest nation in the world. At that time, the official declaration of South independence was also celebrated by political leaders from different ethnic backgrounds including, President Salva Kiir, and the ‘former’ Vice President Dr. Riek Machar. Both of these political figures represent the two largest ethnic groups, Dinka and Nuer. South independence is not only for the victory against the oppression from the Arab- dominated North but also indicates a very significant historic event in ending the prolonged conflicts that has killed 2.5 million people and displaced thousands. Today, however, ‘hope’ has turned to tragedy when the internal political crisis impedes the social- economic development in South Sudan and the death toll from the conflict expected to continue to increase. According to VOA (Voice of America) on April 1st, 2014 reported that more than 1 million people were forced to leave their homes due to the conflict, in addition, estimated 254 600 people fled to neighboring countries and more than 803,000 people are thought displaced in their own country.
The serious humanitarian crisis in South Sudan could not be imagined when it was reported that in the 100 days since the outbreak of the conflict, it was estimated that more than 1 million people became displaced, while 3.7 million people are threatened with starvation. More heartbreaking when there were media reports saying that the refugees had to eat grass for the sole purpose of survival. Humanitarian crisis in Southern Sudan occurred due to power struggles between the leaders of the southern elites mainly involved in the control of the SPLM (Sudan People’s Liberation Movement). Political disputes and power struggles are problems noted by analysts as a crisis that could threaten the freedom and legitimacy of southern independence. The incident started on December 15, 2013 after a political disputes occurred when Dr. Riek Machar, Pagan Amum (SPLM Secretary General) and Rabecca Nyandeng de Mabior (Member of SPLM Political Bureau) who decided to boycott the meeting of the National Liberation Council held in Nyakuron. The political disagreement is still not at an end, the dispute between President Kiir and Riek Machar became more serious after the armed clashes between the Dinka and Nuer became eminent and sparked across the country.
South Sudanese man holding a HK G3. Image credit: Steve Evans
According to Dr. Peter Adwok Nyaba, the crisis began in 2012 when Machar declared his intention to contest for the leadership of SPLM. Machar has the support from SPLM top leaders including, Pagan Amum and Rebecca Nyandeng. This situation is seen as a major threat to Kiir political legacy, thus, Kiir used presidential decree to remove Machar as Vice President and ordered cabinet reshuffle. On December 14, 2013, Machar announced to hold a public rally against, what he claimed abuse of power, by Kiir. On December 15th Machar, Amum and Rebecca Nyandeng boycotted NLC meeting. The situation became tense when Kiir ordered Major General Marial Ciennoung (Commander- in- Chief of SPLA) back to HQ to implement the disarmament of all armed forces, including the Dinka and Nuer elements. However, disputes have occurred since; the Nuer officials were not satisfied when only the Dinka soldiers were ordered to rearm. Subsequently, Nuer soldiers were reported to have broken into stores and armed themselves sparking ethnic clashes widely in Juba and the Jonglei area. In Juba, there are many human rights abuses claims where many innocent people, mostly Nuers were arrested, tortured and executed in the town. On December 16, 2013, Kiir claimed Machar orchestrating the coup, but Machar has totally denied such allegations.
The ongoing conflict in the South has reflected the political- power struggle between the elites from different ethnic groups. Furthermore, analysts had expected that the problem of political power struggles and ethnic violence would be regarded as a major problem in South Sudan after three years of independence. Power struggles in the SPLM is not a new issue in the history of South Sudan, in 1991 (during the Sudan North-South War) Machar (at that time was Commander of the SPLM/A Nuer) broke away from the organization, which was then headed by John Garang, a Dinka. Political games by the Sudanese government via financing those groups that split from the SPLM/A is seen as a factor that is paralyzing solidarity among the SPLM/A members. In December 2014, Kiir also referred to the ‘1991 split’ as a warning after the opposition demanded democratic reforms in SPLM.
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Political- power struggles in the South are also an indication of the class struggle that is taking place between the largest ethnic groups in controling oil wealth, especially in hotspot areas such as Upper Nile and Unity. The BBC on December 22, 2013 reported Machar’s rebels had captured most key areas, including so- called ‘oil state’- Unity, the oil- rich area that covers nearly 95 percent of the Southern economy. The current political tensions in the South may have relevance relating with the class struggle between Dinka and Nuer, as Karl Marx once said, ‘but every class struggle is a political struggle’. Perhaps, the domination of ‘oil states’ by the Nuer elements cannot be accepted by the Dinka elites, however some believe that the issue of ethnic division is deliberately caused. Actually it clearly indicates the power struggle among the elite from different groups is behind the scenes and for sure is leading the country to endless political and economic catastrophe. According to UNICEF, the unsettled conflict in the south has triggered a serious risk of famine that will kill up 50 thousands children within months. Obviously, leadership crisis in the SPLM and mistrust among Southern leaders continues to destroy the solidarity among the people as well as stability in the south. As a consequence, the victims are nearly a quarter of million children who dream the dream of a peaceful and stable country as they were promised three years ago.
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