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Politics of South Sudan

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Politics of South Sudan
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The politics of South Sudan concern the system of government in the Republic of South Sudan, a country in East Africa, and the people, organisations, and events involved in it.

History

Southern Sudan was an autonomous region of the Republic of Sudan from 2005, after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Army,[1] to 2011, when South Sudan gained independence.

After several decades of a civil war that was one of the longest lasting and deadliest wars of the latter 20th century (the First Sudanese Civil War and the Second Sudanese Civil War) between the primarily Muslim and Arab government based in the north, and black Christian and animist people of the south who were demanding more regional autonomy, a peace agreement[2] known as the Naivasha Agreement was signed on January 9, 2005, giving autonomy to the state.

On January 9, 2005, the Government of Southern Sudan was established after the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. John Garang, the former rebel leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement, became President of the Government of Southern Sudan and Vice President of Sudan.[2] A constitution was adopted in December 2005.[3]

On July 2005 Garang died in a helicopter crash in Uganda, and was succeeded in both posts by Salva Kiir Mayardit, with Riek Machar as Vice-President of Southern Sudan.

Independence referendum, 2011

The voting form (ballot) used in the referendum.

A referendum on independence for Southern Sudan was held from 9 to 15 January 2011.

Voting on the referendum began on January 9, 2011. On 12 January, after three days of voting, representatives of the SPLM announced that, according to their estimates, the 60 percent turnout threshold required for the referendum's validity (corresponding to around 2.3 million voters) had been reached. Official confirmation came later the same day, when the referendum commission released a statement announcing that turnout would "exceed" the required 60 percent threshold.[4]

Mohamed Ibrahim Khalil, chairman of the referendum commission, said 83 percent of eligible voters in the south and 53 percent in the north had voted.[5] Over 90% of those who voted supported independence, which was officially granted on July 9.

2013–2014 civil war and reform

In July 2013, Kiir dismissed all his ministers, including Vice President Riek Machar, with the official aim of reducing the size of government. However, Machar said it was a step towards dictatorship and that he would challenge Kiir for the presidency.[6]

On 14–15 December 2013, an attempted coup d'état was put down. Intermittent fighting then ensued amid ceasefire breakdowns during the ensuing civil war[7][8][9] and international concern over the more than 1,000 deaths[10][11] and a humanitarian catastrophe of over a million refugees[12][13] and man-made famine.[14][15] In the meantime, the SPLM factionalised into the SPLM-Juba led by President Salva Kiir and the SPLM-IO led by former Vice President Riek Machar. Kiir told the sixty-ninth session of the United Nations General Assembly that Machar was to blame for the conflict.[16] Amidst a party power struggle, the government was blamed by Pagan Amum for not allowing the unarmed opposition group Political Parties Leadership Forum and its leader Lam Akol from taking part in the negotiations.[17] Kiir also dismissed his ethnic colleague Rebecca Garang, widow of the SPLM's founder John Garang, in August alleging her criticism made her anti-government.[18] Relations with China, South Sudan's largest foreign investor, and Uganda also improved after the SPLM-IO visited Beijing and opened a liaison office in Kampala and accepted an Ugandan troop presence in Juba,[19] in a move away from criticising Uganda's initial support for the government.

Following sanctions against some of the leadership on both sides,[20][21][22] including an arms embargo that was unknowlingly violated by China's NORINCO until the sales were then canceled by the government who called for an end to hostilities,[23] an IGAD-mediated resolution in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia[24] under U.S.-led international pressure[25] was finally agreed at the end of September 2014 that would institute federalisation in the country,[26] a move that even less involved regional leaders in the country had suggested but the government had initially rejected.[27] The talks were led by Nhial Deng Nhial and Deng Alor for the government and rebels, respectively. The rebels' lead negotiator was then due to be replaced by Taban Deng Gai. At the same time, the government expressed optimism at the resolution.[28]

Both sides then agreed to the government's 30-month proposal for rule by a national unity government but discussions continued over the authority of the prime minister in the interim period. While the interim period was agreed, the pre-transitional period was still in dispute with the government wanting three months and the rebels asking for a month. SPLM-IO's Taban Deng said the negotiations were suspended, while the government's Michael Makuei confirmed this adding that it would resume on 16 October with the prime ministerial sisue being referred to an IGAD heads of state summit for discussion.[29] Foreign Minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin criticised the rebels for allegedly not signing the protocol but also said of the break:

What has happened is that the negotiators have been asked to go back to their principals to consult on some of the issues where there is some concurrence. Some people seemed to agree on certain points. So they have to go back and consult with the principals. The interim government will be formed once you have a political solution. There must be a political agreement so that you have an interim government to implement what has been agreed upon. In principle that has been accepted by the government."

It also followed IGAD giving the groups 45 days from August to work out a transition agreement.[30]

Fighting continued in end-October un Unity with expectations for fighting in Upper Nile, with both sides blaming each other;[31] The Guardian claiming preparations were being undertaken for further fighting.[32] At fighting near the compound of the United Nations, Juba, dozens of civilians were reported injured by UNMISS.[33]

In mid-November, despite an agreement to unconditionally end the fighting, hostilities took place in three provinces with each side blaming each other.[34] Further, the government rejected a proposal to abolish the post of vice president and replace it with a prime minister. Cabinet Affairs Minister Martin Elia Lomuro said: "The government delegation did not receive such proposal from IGAD. We only read it from the media reports attributing statements carrying such suggestions to the rebels, and I don’t I understand the basis of the proposal."[35]

Federalisation

The resolution, as announced by IGAD, entailed structures and functions of a transitional national unity government that was "mostly agreed on." However, the "in principle" breakthrough after months of discussions on instituting a federalised structure of government was held up by the time frame for implementation. The SPLM-IO called for immediate implementation, while the governing SPLM-Juba asked for a 30-month transitional period prior to the formation of a new administration.[26] This would entail bypassing the scheduled 2015 election.

Ministries

On 20 August 2011, President Salva Kiir issued a decree establishing 29 government ministries of South Sudan to constitute a cabinet:[36]

  1. Ministry of Cabinet Affairs
  2. Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs
  3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
  4. Minister, Office of the President
  5. Minister for National Security, Office of the President
  6. Ministry of Justice
  7. Ministry of Interior
  8. Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs
  9. Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning
  10. Ministry of Labour, Public Service and Human Resource Development
  11. Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment
  12. Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
  13. Ministry of Health
  14. Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
  15. Ministry of Roads and Bridges
  16. Ministry of Transport
  17. Ministry of General Education and Instruction
  18. Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology
  19. Ministry of Environment
  20. Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning
  21. Ministry of Telecommunication and Postal Services
  22. Ministry of Petroleum and Mining
  23. Ministry of Electricity and Dams
  24. Ministry of Gender, Child and Social Welfare
  25. Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management
  26. Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation
  27. Ministry of Wildlife Conservation and Tourism
  28. Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries
  29. Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports

See also

References

  1. ^ "A Country Study: Sudan". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  2. ^ a b "The Comprehensive Peace Agreement between The Government of The Republic of The Sudan and The Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Sudan People's Liberation Army". reliefweb.int. Retrieved 13 March 2009.
  3. ^ "The Interim Constitution of Southern Sudan" (PDF). United Nations Mission In Sudan. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 19, 2009. Retrieved 13 March 2009. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "Official: South Sudan Voter Turnout to Reach 60 Percent Threshold". VOA News. 12 January 2011. Retrieved 13 January 2011.
  5. ^ "Sudan vote trend points at split – Africa". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 16 January 2011.
  6. ^ "South Sudan gripped by power struggle". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  7. ^ "South Sudan Opposition Accuses Army of New Ceasefire Violation". VOA. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  8. ^ "South Sudan ceasefire violated, rebels and government say". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  9. ^ "South Sudan rebels break ceasefire – Unmiss". BBC News. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  10. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/10/world/africa/new-estimate-sharply-raises-death-toll-in-south-sudan.html?_r=0
  11. ^ Sam Jones. "South Sudan atrocities amount to war crimes, report warns". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  12. ^ http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=14528&LangID=E
  13. ^ "US Pledges Another $83 Million for South Sudan". VOA. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  14. ^ "A Man-Made Famine Is Looming In South Sudan". Mother Jones. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Concerns over South Sudan arms reports as famine looms: U.N." Reuters. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  16. ^ http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article52557
  17. ^ https://radiotamazuj.org/en/article/pagan-amum-rejects-involvement-new-%E2%80%98pplf%E2%80%99-delegation-peace-talks
  18. ^ http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-john-garang-rebecca-nyandeng-fired/2422912.html
  19. ^ http://www.ntvuganda.co.ug/news/international/29/sep/2014/riek-machar%E2%80%99s-men-now-back-updf-stay-south-sudan#sthash.nciV1SM5.dpbs
  20. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/07/world/africa/us-imposes-first-sanctions-in-south-sudan-conflict.html
  21. ^ "South Sudan-related Sanctions". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  22. ^ "Embargoes and sanctions on South Sudan". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  23. ^ "China Halts Arms Sales to South Sudan After Norinco Shipment". Bloomberg. 30 September 2014. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  24. ^ http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article52611
  25. ^ "U.S. warns South Sudan: Strike a peace deal or face UN sanctions". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  26. ^ a b "South Sudan Factions Agree on Federal Government". ABC News. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  27. ^ "C. Equatoria governor: 'We stand for federalism'". Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  28. ^ "South Sudan optimistic of peace deal with rebels". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  29. ^ http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/660410-igad-suspends-south-sudan-peace-talks.html
  30. ^ http://www.voanews.com/content/south-sudan-peace-talks-take-another-break/2473710.html
  31. ^ http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/27/us-southsudan-fighting-idUSKBN0IG1UE20141027
  32. ^ http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/27/south-sudan-fighting-season
  33. ^ http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=49173#.VE-wR9JxnHY
  34. ^ http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29991398
  35. ^ http://www.sudantribune.com/spip.php?article53019
  36. ^ "Kiir announces new South Sudan ministries". Sudan Tribune. 21 August 2011. Retrieved 25 August 2011.

Further reading

  • Leonardi, Cherry (2013). Dealing with government in South Sudan: histories of chiefship, community & state. Eastern Africa series. Woodbridge, Suffolk: James Currey. ISBN 9781847010674. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
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