Kiden Stela Mandela
Political defection has become the order of the day in our country. It is increasingly clear that our continued cycle of violence is fueled by these constant shifts in loyalty. The wars that broke out between 2013 and 2016 were largely driven by power-sharing disputes among leaders; when certain individuals feel they aren’t receiving lucrative enough positions within their party, they defect and form new groups to protest their leader’s decisions.
A clear example occurred on August 4, 2021, when the Kitgwang group defected and declared a coup against the SPLM-IO under Riek Machar. This lasted until they joined the government following the Khartoum peace talks on January 16, 2022 an agreement that led them to the SSPDF and SPLM-IG. These revivals are almost always motivated by a desire for government office. It has become a routine for army generals to hop from leader to leader in search of greener pastures While some defectors eventually secure the positions they crave, many do not. Those who fail often find it difficult to return home, resulting in them sponsoring further violence from the fringes.
This power struggle has caused widespread insecurity across states and counties. Recently, in Jongeli, westerner Equatoria State, the counties have suffered through a series of violent clashes that have displaced tens of thousands of people. These citizens are forced to flee to neighboring states, living in desperation.
Defecting is not a sustainable solution for achieving status. If one plays their cards well and works with integrity, success is possible within a single party. There is no honor in becoming a rebel leader against your own brothers, yet these ego-driven splits are often mislabelled as tribal fights to justify the chaos.
Politicians must truly understand the weight of politics before entering the arena. If you do not use your mind for the common good, your legacy will only be one of destruction. Your mind becomes so preoccupied with facilitating communal violence that you forget your purpose and stall national development. For those who have remained in the bush even after signing peace agreements: what are you truly fighting for? This cycle is not normal, and it cannot continue.
I appeal to the leaders of this country to stop entertaining these defections. Stop rewarding those who leave by awarding them high-ranking positions. If it continues to buy loyalty with offices, we signal to every ambitious person that violence and defection are the only ways to gain power.
God protect South Sudan
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