Skip to main content

"And the Lord Gave the 'SPLM' up to the Plunderers." Judges 2:14

The Voice of Ink

Until justice and righteousness are restored, no political legacy can stand.

16th May 2026

Torit

In 2008, the SPLM political party undertook a nationwide census and membership registration. I officially registered as a party member in Nimule, marking the beginning of my interest in politics and community issues. At the time, I knew of no other political parties much until 2010, when Dr Lam Akol formed SPLM-DC to challenge President Salva Kiir of the then government of Southern Sudan.

To my ambition, I had several reasons for joining the SPLM, one of which was the desire to shape my political path through party affiliation. However, my expectations were not met. From what I observed, even committed members, such as some Members of Parliament under the opposition parties in the Torit Assembly or Juba, faced suppression despite actively promoting the SPLM agenda initially.

Originally, the SPLM was built on a powerful vision: unity, equality, and liberty for all who struggled together for independence. Sadly, that vision faded with the passing of key founding leaders such as Dr. John Garang, Kerbino Kuanyin, and William Nyuon. The remaining leadership has, in many ways, corrupted and distorted that original purpose to the point that my own membership ID became meaningless to me.

This situation echoes the biblical account after Joshua’s death, when Israel’s leadership led the people into cycles of conflict and moral decline. As Judges wrote:

“After that whole generation had been gathered to their ancestors, another generation grew up who knew neither the Lord nor what he had done for Israel. Then the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the Lord…” (Judges 2:10–11). And the anger of the Lord was kindled… gave them over to plunderers, who plundered them… (2:14)

Today marks 43 years since the founding of the SPLM. But is there truly anything worth celebrating? What achievements can South Sudanese, especially party members, point to with pride? A party that has lost its direction, which turns its power against its own citizens and that fosters division and violence, hardly deserves celebration. This, unfortunately, reflects the SPLM of today.

While the party claims credit for leading the struggle for independence from oppressive rule, many citizens now experience conditions that feel even worse than before. The gap between the party’s promises and the people’s reality continues to widen. Until the SPLM restores freedom, returns power to the people, and rebuilds the nation’s dignity, it risks remaining the central problem facing South Sudan.

It is important to remember that SPLM/A, as it was originally known, existed between 1983 and 2011. What exists today, in the eyes of many, no longer reflects that movement’s ideals. Where there was once sacrifice and discipline, there is now widespread frustration over corruption, unpaid soldiers, and struggling civil servants.

As citizens of this nation with great potential, we must be careful about where we place our trust and recognition. Not everyone who wears the party colours represents its original values. Many of those who truly embodied the SPLM/A spirit now live modestly, selling charcoal, breaking stones, and gathering firewood, choosing honest survival over exploitation.

With all this in mind, joining the SPLM today may seem less like a path to service and more like a misguided pursuit. If there is to be a celebration, let it be postponed until the nation restores hope, justice, and dignity for its people, honouring not just the past, but also a better future.

To the failed leadership of the SPLM, Scripture calls you back to what truly matters: “Let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream” (Amos 5:24). Until justice and righteousness are restored, no political legacy can stand.


Sir Abunerry

Writer, Critic, and Poet

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A NEW ERA FOR NIMULE: Appreciation for the Mayor's Efforts.

HW: Hon. Fuli Caesar.   Nimule Bylaw... a great development.  4th Sept. 2025 In March, the state government designated Nimule Town Council as a municipal council. This move sparked mixed reactions among the community; some supported it while others opposed it. As a long-time resident of Nimule, I understand the complexities of this decision. Building on this development, I'd like to share my perspective on the town's progress. With over twenty years of living in Nimule, I've witnessed many issues that have hindered the town's progress. Previous leaders implemented policies that failed to drive real improvement. They collected taxes, but tangible benefits and developments within the town remained in the grave. I've contributed to the town's development through voluntary clean-ups with some youth groups (ICYA, YPCC) and advocacy efforts, calling for bylaws to protect local businesses and residents from exploitation.   However, with your leadership, Your Worshi...
Post a Comment
Read more

UNMASKING THE RED BELT: Community Defense or Security Threats

WHY IS EQUATORIA MENTIONED? September 2, 2025 Many South Sudanese tribes have vigilante groups, particularly in cattle-keeping communities. Based on their mandates, it is clear that each group aims to protect and defend its community from neighbouring raiders. Communities like the Dinka, Nuer, and Murle have such groups, and their long-standing conflicts over resources suggest this is a survival mechanism. From my experience, South Sudan's community insecurity worsened in 2017 when the economy collapsed due to unresolved civil conflicts. Youths formed groups with different names, such as the Toronto, West Coasts, Black Mambas, and Invincible Scorpions, in Juba and other major cities. In Nimule, many of these youths brought ideas from Juba's Sherikat suburb after escaping arrest or internal disputes. Today, gangs are widespread in major towns and cities.   Recently, the Red Belt group emerged in Bor, disrupting a peaceful tournament and attacking the National Security Servic...
Post a Comment
Read more

Open Letter to the Governor of Eastern Equatoria State

02-08-2026 His Excellency Louis Lobong Lojore Governor, Eastern Equatoria State Subject: Urgent Appeal for the Immediate Removal of Cattle from Magwi County, Particularly the Nimule Area Your Excellency, I write to you as a concerned citizen regarding the continued presence of thousands of cattle in Magwi County, particularly in and around the Nimule area. This situation demands your urgent attention and intervention. In the recent past, government authorities, local leaders, and communities agreed that the presence of cattle in Magwi County is unacceptable. This position is consistent with the Presidential directive ordering all cattle to return to their areas of origin. Despite this clear directive, many cattle keepers, particularly from Bor, continue to disregard the order and have returned with large herds into the county. Today, thousands of cattle are moving freely in the Nimule area and occupying locations less than ten kilometres from Nimule Municipality. We are all aware of t...
Post a Comment
Read more