Africa-Press – South-Sudan. A leading civil rights figure has accused South Sudan’s leadership, particularly President Salva Kiir, of deliberately orchestrating the country’s ongoing political instability and economic collapse. He described it as a calculated effort to undermine governance and consolidate power.
Rajab Mohandis, a member of the People’s Coalition for Civil Action (PCCA), said in an interview with Radio Tamazuj on Monday that the current crisis is not a result of incompetence or mere political rivalry, but rather the outcome of “a well-orchestrated plan” by those in power to dismantle democratic institutions and sabotage the peace process.
According to Mohandis, peace agreements, national dialogue processes, and even early post-referendum commitments were discarded once the leadership secured control. He claimed the SPLM, once the country’s dominant liberation party, has been dismantled from within and security institutions have been rendered ineffective, forcing a reliance on foreign forces to protect even the capital, Juba.
He also dismissed recent legal charges against SPLM-IO officials, including suspended First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar, as politically motivated, stating that the judicial system is being weaponized to suppress political rivals outside of traditional battlefields.
Below are edited excerpts from the interview:
Q: Mr. Rajab, you recently issued a press release as the PCCA regarding the situation in South Sudan. What exactly were you addressing?
A: We were addressing the general state of affairs in the country. There is widespread confusion about what is truly happening. Blame for the country’s ongoing crisis and stagnation is being shifted among political actors, civic groups, regional stakeholders, and the international community. We felt it was critical to speak candidly about the causes of South Sudan’s decline so that citizens and policymakers alike can clearly understand where accountability lies.
Q: Let’s talk about the political instability in the country. What do you believe is driving it?
A: We believe the instability is the result of a deliberate and well-orchestrated plan—primarily by the country’s leadership, particularly the president. Since independence, there have been clear mandates and processes that were supposed to guide governance. However, these have consistently been ignored, undermined, or sabotaged.
For instance, in 2010, just before the referendum, an all-parties conference was held in Juba where political actors agreed on a roadmap for governance post-independence. When South Sudan eventually gained independence, those agreements were discarded. Subsequent peace agreements were also either poorly implemented or completely abandoned, including the National Dialogue process.
Many institutions that were supposed to support governance have been dismantled. The SPLM, the ruling party, has essentially been rendered non-functional. Key security institutions have also been weakened, which is partly why foreign forces are now needed to protect even the national capital.
We believe this has been a calculated political strategy to centralize power and suppress dissent—one that primarily benefits those in power, especially the SPLM chairperson and the president himself.
Q: With ongoing reshuffles in government and security structures, what do you foresee in the near future?
A: These moves are part of a trend toward deeper authoritarianism. As the country continues down this path, ordinary citizens will suffer the most from a collapsing economy and escalating insecurity.
The restructuring of the peace agreement—done without consensus—further destabilizes the country and undermines trust. We see signs of worsening violence ahead, which is why we are sounding the alarm. We’re calling on political and civic actors, as well as regional and international partners, to intervene before the crisis deepens further.
Q: Recently, charges were brought against SPLM-IO officials, including Dr. Riek Machar. Are these charges legitimate, or are they politically motivated?
A: What’s happening does not reflect a fair judicial process. It appears to be a politically driven attempt to neutralize rivals—not through military confrontation, but through judicial means.
We believe in justice, and yes, serious crimes have been committed since December 2013 and even earlier. Accountability is essential. However, justice must be comprehensive and impartial—not selective.
The 2018 peace agreement established a mechanism for accountability: the Hybrid Court for South Sudan. That’s the appropriate channel for justice. When individuals implicated in crimes are the ones selectively prosecuting their rivals, it undermines the legitimacy of the process. As the PCCA, we do not consider that justice.
Q: Let’s discuss security. Insecurity is being witnessed in Western Equatoria, Yei, Kajo-Keji, and Upper Nile, with security threats in Malakal. What’s driving this violence?
A: This widespread insecurity stems from a failure of political leadership at the center. Individuals are instigating violence without facing consequences; some of them even hold high political office.
The government in Juba is not in full control of the national territory. This allows actors to engage in violence for extended periods without effective state intervention. Until we have leadership that can manage political disputes and protect civilians, the situation will only deteriorate.
Q: The country is also facing a worsening economic crisis. What’s causing the currency shortage and salary delays in your opinion?
A: The root cause is the absence of a clear and functional economic plan. The country’s resources are being extracted and misused by a small elite with no consideration for economic sustainability.
There is systemic corruption and gross mismanagement. As a result, essential services have collapsed, and public servants—including those in oil companies—have gone unpaid for months. Even when salaries are paid, the currency’s value is so low that it doesn’t meet basic daily needs. In practical terms, the salary system has collapsed.
To revive the economy, we need political stability, security, and a productive environment that supports local businesses. As it stands, there is no hope for economic recovery under current conditions.
Q: Foreign forces such as the Ugandan People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) are present in South Sudan. Is their presence impacting the economy?
A: Absolutely. The government is spending heavily on security while neglecting essential sectors like health, education, and agriculture. Hosting foreign troops who are paid while our national army remains unpaid shows misplaced priorities. This overspending on security, instead of investing in long-term stability, only worsens the economic crisis.
Q: Do you believe international actors and peace guarantors have done enough to help South Sudan?
A: Not quite. While they have been involved, their approach needs a serious review. The UN Security Council, African Union Peace and Security Council, and IGAD must move from simply urging peace to holding spoilers accountable. The failure of parties to honor the peace agreement has led to continued violence and humanitarian crises, while the international community is left to clean up the aftermath.
The crisis in South Sudan also threatens regional stability. That’s why international and regional actors must act decisively to prevent a broader catastrophe.
Q: On the conflict in neighboring Sudan—what role does South Sudan play, and what needs to be done?
A: The conflicts in South Sudan and Sudan are interconnected. Instability in one country fuels instability in the other. Arms reportedly crossing borders and the oil shutdown are examples of how closely tied these crises are.
The African Union and IGAD must get more involved to resolve both conflicts comprehensively. Without a coordinated and lasting solution, these wars risk dragging in other countries and sparking a full-blown regional crisis.
Q: As a civil society group, what is the PCCA calling for at this moment?
A: First, we are calling on South Sudanese citizens—especially civil society, political leaders, intellectuals, and veterans of the liberation struggle—to speak up. We cannot continue to remain silent while the country falls apart.
Veteran leaders must remember and uphold the purpose of the liberation struggle. Intellectuals and think tanks should help shape a vision for a better South Sudan. Civil society must overcome the fear that has silenced it. We also urge religious leaders—who enjoy moral authority—to lead truthfully and courageously. They recently issued a promising statement on peace, and we believe they can do much more.
Finally, we urge IGAD and the African Union to take more proactive leadership in resolving the crisis and to hold those obstructing peace accountable. Thank you very much.
Source: Radio Tamazuj
For More News And Analysis About South-Sudan Follow Africa-Press
