Opinion| Corruption by South Sudan’s political elite: A collective responsibility for hindering democracy

September 23, 2024 FRANCE

BY MAHMOUD AKOT

Corruption in South Sudan is not just limited to President Salva Kiir and his government. It has permeated across the entire political spectrum, including the opposition parties. The entire political system is riddled with malpractices, where both the government and opposition contribute to the ongoing cycle of violence and instability that has plagued the country since its independence in 2011. This situation reveals a total lack of responsibility from all sides, as none seem genuinely concerned with improving the lives of the South Sudanese people, who remain hostage to a political elite that is more focused on power and wealth than on nation-building.

Government of Salva Kiir and the opposition: two sides of the same coin

Despite the political and ethnic differences between Salva Kiir’s government and the opposition parties, both are equally responsible for exacerbating South Sudan’s political and economic crisis. Numerous peace agreements, including the 2018 Revitalized Peace Agreement, have failed to bring about any meaningful improvement in governance. Instead, the power-sharing agreements have often resulted in sustained conflict, as neither side is genuinely committed to implementing the necessary political and economic reforms that could bring lasting peace.

While the government under Kiir has continuously exploited its power for personal gain, the opposition has failed to offer a credible alternative. Rather than focusing on building a democratic state grounded in transparency and accountability, opposition parties have often leveraged internal divisions for political advantage. This unspoken collusion between the government and the opposition has further delayed the prospects of holding free and fair elections that would empower the people of South Sudan to choose their leaders.

Exploiting conflict for foreign aid

Both the government and the opposition have been accused of exploiting South Sudan’s ongoing conflicts to attract foreign aid, which is frequently misused. Numerous reports suggest that both sides are benefiting financially from the continuous influx of international humanitarian aid intended to alleviate the suffering of the South Sudanese people. Instead, this aid is often diverted to serve the personal interests of the political elites, further entrenching corruption.

In this context, both the government and the opposition share direct responsibility for the country’s financial and administrative corruption. While international funds continue to flow into South Sudan, the average citizen sees little to no improvement in their standard of living. The widespread mismanagement of these funds is part of a broader strategy to maintain control over the country’s resources, leaving the people of South Sudan to bear the brunt of poverty, hunger, and insecurity.

Extending the transitional period; a collective agreement to delay democracy

The recent extension of the transitional period is a glaring example of how both the government and the opposition are working together to delay democratic processes. This continuous extension, under the pretext of lack of readiness, serves only to prolong the status quo and delay the long-overdue elections. It is clear that neither side has a genuine interest in establishing a democratic framework that would allow the people of South Sudan to exercise their political rights

Each postponement of the elections buys more time for the elites to consolidate power and sideline potential challengers. This complicity between the ruling party and the opposition makes it evident that democracy is not a priority for either side. Instead, both groups prefer to maintain an environment of instability and political uncertainty, which allows them to continue benefiting from unchecked access to resources.

Entrenching corruption through political paralysis

The continued extension of the transitional period also serves to entrench corruption across all levels of government. Instead of focusing on institutional reform and the rebuilding of state structures, both the ruling party and opposition have used this extended period to further enrich themselves. Persistent internal conflicts and a lack of accountability have enabled these political elites to manipulate foreign aid and public resources for their gain.

Both government and opposition leaders exploit these delays to entrench their power, stalling any progress toward democratization or addressing the root causes of South Sudan’s political instability. The longer elections are delayed, the longer these elites can exploit the country’s resources without facing significant political opposition or the need for electoral legitimacy.

Objective criticism; a failed political class

The political class in South Sudan, including both the government and opposition, has failed to deliver on the promises of peace, stability, and democracy. This failure is not just a result of individual corruption but reflects a deeper structural issue within the country’s political system. The lack of transparency, accountability, and political will from all parties has left South Sudan trapped in a cycle of poverty, violence, and authoritarianism.

The opposition, rather than acting as a check on the government, has often mirrored the same corrupt practices and self-serving behavior. Instead of putting forward coherent policies for reform, opposition leaders have frequently sought power-sharing agreements that allow them to access state resources and maintain their influence. This has prevented any real democratic development and left the people of South Sudan without a credible alternative.

Constructive criticism’ rebuilding trust and advocating for genuine change

If South Sudan is to move towards a more stable and prosperous future, it is imperative that all sides—including the government and opposition—begin to take responsibility for their role in perpetuating corruption and violence. Both the ruling elites and opposition leaders must be held accountable for their actions, and civil society needs to play a critical role in ensuring transparency and democratic reform.

Rather than continuing to delay elections and stall political progress, there needs to be a concerted effort to reform the political system, empower independent institutions, and rebuild trust between the government and the people. The international community also has a role to play by tying aid to concrete anti-corruption measures and ensuring that funding is used to benefit the people, not the elites.

Without these reforms, the cycle of corruption and conflict will continue, leaving South Sudan trapped in political paralysis and economic stagnation. It is time for the political class, both in government and opposition, to prioritize the future of the nation over their personal gains and work towards a system that respects the will of the people.

A shared responsibility

Corruption in South Sudan is not solely the fault of the government but a collective failure that includes opposition parties. All political elites share the blame for delaying the democratic process, fostering conflict, and diverting resources meant for the betterment of the people. If South Sudan is to ever achieve peace and stability, both sides must be held accountable for their actions and commit to genuine democratic reforms that will allow the people to finally choose their leaders. Only through such reforms can South Sudan break free from its cycle of violence and poverty, and move towards a future defined by progress and democracy.

The writer is a Political activist advocating for democracy and is passionate about justice, human rights, and the pursuit of a free and democratic

society. He can be reached via mahmoudakot@gmail.com/+33602804330.

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