South Sudan: Are the SPLM capable of a succession?

In Juba there been discussion and rumours, heck, you could call it speculations about who will takeover from President Salva Kiir Mayardit. However, the talks and the planned forum in Rumbek isn’t true. Regardless of that, the J-1 and the one(s) in office needs to address this properly.

The Sudan People Liberation Movement (SPLM), the liberation party and party of freedom fighters who fought for liberation from Khartoum and Sudan. That party has to resolve this matter and make coordinated efforts. Especially, if it is a sincere and honest party in 2024.

This party cannot be on ethnic lines or tribalistic affairs. No, this is a national party and it needs to prove its worth. It can’t be a one-man shop and one saviour to rule them all. That’s not how you build sustainable parties or organizations. The individualism and the nepotism will only defunct historical entities as the SPLM. An entity has longevity and the ability to be relevant for years come. However, that depends on what the leadership values or what it takes for granted.

The goodwill can easily dwindle. The relevance can go away and be misused. The ones in office are already overstepping and creating issues, which it is trying to forge new agreements and settlements over. Instead of building institutions and building a capable nation. The President himself is busy decreeing the laws and who he decides to appoint. Meanwhile he could have built state organizations and operational institutions that would linger for generations to come.

That is what the SPLM should work for. Not to be there on behalf of J-1 and whatever needs they have. To shield criticism and point the fingers at the public speculating. No, the state needs to listen to its citizens and abide by it. Eventually, the same people will be tired of the theatre and the continued negotiations abroad. The South Sudanese people deserve a governing party and a state that have its ears open and understands the pulse of the people.

That’s why the talk of succession is healthy. The need for talks of who comes after and how the SPLM deals with it. As it cannot only do that when people dies or leaves planet earth early. No, there is a need to know how it will work it out.

The SPLM needs to make a roadmap and show the public what it plans or when it is necessary. Unless they think people duped and stupid enough to accept one man to rule for life or without question. Because that is what they are serving them.

The SPLM is SKM and SKM is the SPLM. That’s the memo until it is revised. Peace.

South Sudan: Opening Remarks by the Head of the R-TGoNU Delegation to Tumaini Peace Initiative (04.12.2024)

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South Sudan: The Dawn Newspaper’s Editor in Cheif Emmanuel Monychol Akop abducted by the security forces

News coming indicates that “The Dawn newspaper’s Editor in chief Emmanuel Monychol Akop has been apprehended by Security personnel and was taken to an unknown location.

The motives for the arrest are not known or disclosed to the family members.

Impact Media is monitoring 💻 this developing story and will update you on the matter” (Impact Media, 28.11.2024).

In 2019 the Editor in Cheif Emmanuel Monychol Akop was arrested and detained for a longer period by the authorities of South Sudan. Now that the news appear to happening again. A journalist and an fierce editor who does his craft well.

The Dawn Newspaper is respect for its work and the way it operates. That’s why the authorities and such are doing this. It tells stories and let dissidents speak their mind. Which isn’t always appreciated. Especially, not in a nation ruled by decree and by unelected officials who are appointed by J-1.

That’s why it isn’t shocking or surprising that this is happening. You can wonder what story he broke or published. That broke the back of the authorities this time. What sort of tale and words of wisdom that was to damaging. That the leaders of the Republic lost their composure and had to apprehend him again.

This is what I am wondering about. What sort of story or leaked information had he gotten into his hands this time? What does the Dawn Newspaper know? That the J-1, the R-TGoNU and everyone surrounding the President worry about. So, they are righteous in taking him into custody and doing so without any sort of notification or warrants.

If the rulers and the leaders of the nation wants to look wise. Then you are not arresting or abducting, kidnapping or keeping journalists or media personnel incommunicado. That’s how you are validating whatever he knows or has already published. There is validation to those stories and whatever damaging reports he have on hand. Because, you wouldn’t do this… if he was writing flowery speeches and praising the Executive as the almighty and the second coming of Jesus. No, you would allow him to run his business and be a free man.

That’s why we know this gig and that’s something is up. There is some sort of hidden secrets that was possibly leaked and the only way the state could silence it. Was by taking in the man who had the power to publish it in his paper. That’s the only reason why I see this happening. It is sort of in the same fashion as arresting and charging the man who leaked the “pee tape” of the President. We saw that happening too.

So, how long will they keep Monychol Akop behind bars or in a secure facility? Last time it was over two weeks and who knows how long they kept him in prison. It is obvious… that they does this for reason and it isn’t to keep the nation safe. No, it is safeguard the elites who are already running everything. Peace.

South Sudan: President Salva Kiir Mayardit – The President of the Republic Message of reassurance (28.11.2024)

South Sudan: South Sudan Patriotic Movement/Army (SSPM/A) – Condemnation and Rejection of Hussein Abdelbagi move to oust Dr. Costello Garang from SSPM Chairmanship (27.11.2024)

South Sudan: South Sudan Opposition Alliance (SSOA) – SSOA Press Statement on the Developments within SSPM (24.11.2024)

South Sudan: Updates on the second day of the “battle” between Gen. Kiir and Gen. Akol

South Sudan’s former National Security Service (NSS) chief, General Akol Koor Kuc, has avoided arrest following a tense standoff, though three of his bodyguards were wounded in the incident. Akol remains at his residence in the Thongpiny neighborhood of Juba, according to close security sources” (Sudans Post, 22.11.2024).

Calm has returned to Juba after an urgent security meeting chaired by President Kiir resolved to provide maximum protection to the former Spy Chief Gen. Akol Koor Kuc and his family. This decision was reached amidst last night’s heavy gunshots that have caused panic and fear among the public. The standoff between security forces and former Spy’s loyalists led to some unconfirmed casualties and injuries” (Tonj Trinity Media, 22.11.2024).

Arm Chief Gen. Santino Deng Wol Evacuates Former Spy Chief From Thongpiny to Jebel Suk

With eyed evidence, Gen. Santino Deng Wol has been seen collecting ex-spy boss Gen. Akol Koor Kuc and his wife plus his 5 bodyguards from Thongpiny residential area to Jebel Suk where ex- spy chief has another house there. The evacuation of former spy chief came about when the heavy gunfire exchange took place last night at Thongpiny between Tiger division and ex-spy chief allies. Nonetheless, the fight was ceased shortly after 30 minutes. Currently, Thongpiny is 100% percent safe and there is no single soldier you see loitering around. All heavy armed vehicles have left immediately after they have seen Akol Kuc is complied to go with Gen.Dengdit” (Aweilda Number One, 22.11.2024).

In Juba things are going back to normal, though reports of tensions and such are still there. Things aren’t just sealed and back to business. There is now signs of how fickle things are and how the Generals are fighting for power.

Yesterday, some reports was wrong, as they said he was arrested and guarded away from Juba. That wasn’t true. He has been in house-arrest and been under circumstances that has kept him in-house. Therefore, the authorities, the army and the state agencies knew where he was. That’s why they thought they could seal the deal quickly.

Nevertheless, General Kiir and his minions didn’t consider the bodyguards and the supporters surrounding General Akol Koor. That’s why they couldn’t just take him and detain him on the spot. He wouldn’t budge and there was lack of protocol. As there are now reports that the state didn’t have warrants or paperwork diligently showing the reason for an arrest. Therefore, the former spy chief had enough leverage to be kept at bay.

Alas, now there is further escalation and after the last 24 hours. The state needs to arraign him. As the injured, the violence and lethal usage of force. There reports of possible two bodyguards of General Akol Koor has died after yesterday’s action. So, this shows how things are and how easily life are taken over the continuation of power.

We know things aren’t all as it seems, some reports says his taken in today and others are saying this: “There is a tense calm in Juba following a heavy exchange of gunfire last night at the residence of Gen. Akol Koor Kuc, former Director General of the Internal Bureau of the National Security Service. Security checkpoints are in place, and movement is restricted in certain areas. The army and police are currently assessing the situation and will provide further updates. As of now, the whereabouts of Gen. Akol Koor remain unclear” (Radio Miraya – JUBA SITUATION UPDATE, 22.11.2024).

The Radio Miraya update is posted hours apart from the ones saying his arrested. So, hard to know. However, the reports yesterday said the same thing too and those wasn’t true. He was supposed to be on the way to Bilpam, which wasn’t true at all. In the midst of the gun-smoke and gun-fire the rumours, speculation and everything went haywire. That’s why there is more subtly today.

We will know more as the hours goes by and if the authorities also drops intelligence or even shows the General Akol Koor alive somewhere. That’s what is needed, because this will just further the speculations and uncertainty. The big-men is fighting, the one who used to have power and the one who is still in power. Peace.

South Sudan: A violent stand-off between General Kiir and General Akol in Juba

The South Sudan army is reporting that the heavy shooting heard in Juba is coming from the residence of the former Director General of the National Security Services (NSS) Internal Security Bureau – General Akol Koor Kuc. Army’s spokesperson Major General Lul Ruai confirmed this to Radio Miraya and is asking the general public to remain calm” (Sudan News, 21.11.2024).

South Sudan’s former spy chief, General Akol Koor Kuc has been arrested and transported to Bilpam, the headquarters of the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces (SSPDF), following clashes with security forces” (Sudans Post, 21.11.2024).

Today was the sky flaring up with gun-shuts, as the sky was lit with it. The leaked videos from it showed what was going down in Juba, South Sudan. Yet again, as it was in 2013. The armed forces went into go mode and settled the grievances by the guns. This time around another former ally and entrusted fellow army commander was caught. A man who just a mere month ago was sacked as the Spy Chief and demoted to a gubernatorial office.

This just shows how fickle things are, as the General Akol has already in the recent month been blocked from leaving Juba. He has stopped on the airport in Juba. In addition to be held in captivity in his own home under house arrest. Today things got even further and now his reportedly arrested.

Here is his statement as he was demoted to become Governor:

I am surprised at the rumours stating I have declined the offer by my President to serve my country at the state level. Declining for what reason? I am a government civil servant who worked years ago in Warrap State as the Commissioner of Tonj North County. I am happy to serve again at the gubernatorial level” – General Akol Koor Kuc (Voice of Juba, 05.10.2024).

General Akol served the President and republic as a Spy Chief for over a decade. He knows the tricks to the trade and was sort of an enigma. That has given him a lot of support and there was even talks of him being a possible successor to the current President. Alas, that doesn’t seem likely now.

Especially, not after the fallout and usage of force in Juba. This is the sort of aftermath that seals the deal and stops all sorts of movement between the former allies. There are now settlements and need for a sit-down. However, we know that isn’t coming fast as one General are behind bars and the other is busy keeping up the status quo.

Others aligned with Gen Akol Koor has been apprehended too:

According to sources closed to Gen. Marshall, the order for complete arrest and isolation of Gen. Akol Koor came from President Salva Kiir today. The general further revealed that if Gen. Akol Koor resists, the army is ready to use force to restrain and relocate him.

According to relatives, there is no written order from the President as it was done in the past when the army came to disarm the bodyguards of Gen. Akol Koor from the house which the general accepted and released all his bodyguards back to their units. They were replaced by soldiers from the tiger division.

This evening, the news of arrest and isolation was conveyed by number of senior generals from SSPDF and Internal Security Bureau of NSS.

1. Gen. Marshall Stephen Babenan- SSPDF CMI

2. Gen. Paul Nang Majok -SSPDF

3. Gen. Gum Makuac- SSPDF Tiger commander

4. Gen. Charles Ciec Mayor- ISB/ NSS” (Thømæs Nati, 21.11.2024).

This here is a power-struggle… and even if the guns are silenced tonight. It is telling how easily this went down and how they decided this was their way to square off. Tonight General Akol is resting with the Military Intelligence, as his arrested and an outlaw. That’s the game he played and he has supporters who fought by his side. We don’t know the ramifications of the shoot-out and the skirmishes in the capital.

One has to be careful in the coming days. Even if the gun-smoke is off for tonight. The General might be detained in the coming days, but there are hungry and restless soldiers, who are aligned with the former spy-chief and others who wants to eat. So, these might cause more harm in Juba soon. However, that is just speculations for now.

We will know more with time. Juba has seen yet again more violence and usage of lethal weapons. Peace.

South Sudan: Office of the President – Debunking the Allegations Made by The Sentry Report Against the President and the First Family of the Republic of South Sudan (21.11.2024)