SPLM and the Division Spectre

By:Helen Andrew

Cloudy atmosphere is dominating the SPLM arena following its recent statement under the signature of (Yen Matthew).

According to the statement, each of Dr. Lam Akol and Gazi Sulieman will be subjected to appropriate organizational measures and will present it to the upcoming meeting of the political bureau and national liberation council as the two members departed from the official line of the SPLM position paving the way for their expulsion from the movement.

To his astonishment regarding the statement, Dr. Lam Akol, asked about who is (Yen Matthew) describing the statement by “so called Ben Mathewâ€‌ as frail. Akol affirmed that he doesn't know the man and how he became the SPLM spokesman.

Regardless Akol's questions, the statement itself represents a political scandal in all measures for the SPLM, because if the issue is related to organizational violations then this could be discussed within the SPLM committees and political bureau as an internal matter which doesn't need a vague statement written in generalized language without any decision or findings.

If the issue is meant as evident political deviation from the two men then the simplest principles in this regard is to listen to the viewpoints of   each of Akol and Gazi before issuing the statement.

Came to the negative impacts resulting from the statement, we can say that the timing was unfortunate as it coincides with the ICC arrest warrant for President Al-Bashir and the united national front is at its peak as all the political and popular forces are against the ICC decision without any exceptions.

Each of Gazi and Dr. Akol announced their rejection to the decision clearly and with their logic and evidences and expressed frankly that they stand with the nation and the CPA to avoid the chaos meant to happen by those who supported the arrest warrant.

An SPLM high political figure said that the two men's stance is irreproachable in the frame of democracy and freedom of expression within the movement, so the statement might lead to a division in the SPLM causing great damage and political loss considering that it aims at punishing two of its best leaders due to bright national stances which should be a political plus to the SPLM.